Potential diagnostic and drug target markers in glioblastoma

Abstract

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) IDH-wildtype is the most prevalent brain malignancy in adults. However, molecular mechanisms, which leads to GBM have not been completely elucidated. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF), Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor receptor GCSFR, and Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) have been involved in the occurrence and development of various cancers, but their role in GBM is little known. Herein, we have investigated the gene and protein expression of GCSF, GCSFR, and STAT3 in 21 tissue biopsy samples and also in tumor associated normal tissue (TANT) samples derived from glioblastoma patients, which revealed significantly differential expression of these genes. To validate our findings, we performed a comprehensive integrated analysis of transcriptomic and proteomic profiling of respective genes by retrieving GBM RNA-sequence data from Genome Atlas Databases. GO and KEGG analysis revealed enrichment in disease-related pathways, such as JAK/STAT pathway activation, which were associated with GBM progression. We further performed computational docking analysis of potential drug candidate Nisin against GCSF, and the results were validated in vitro through cytotoxic activity assay using a human glioblastoma cell line SF-767 in a dose-dependent manner. Our comprehensive analysis reveals that GCSF augments glioma progression, and its blockade with anticancer bacteriocin peptide Nisin can potentially inhibit the growth and metastasis of GBM.