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BMC Cancer
Published in: BMC Cancer 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

EMX2 gene expression predicts liver metastasis and survival in colorectal cancer

Authors: Berk Aykut, Markus Ochs, Praveen Radhakrishnan, Adrian Brill, Hermine Höcker, Sandra Schwarz, Daniel Weissinger, Roland Kehm, Yakup Kulu, Alexis Ulrich, Martin Schneider

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

The Empty Spiracles Homeobox (EMX-) 2 gene has been associated with regulation of growth and differentiation in neuronal development. While recent studies provide evidence that EMX2 regulates tumorigenesis of various solid tumors, its role in colorectal cancer remains unknown. We aimed to assess the prognostic significance of EMX2 expression in stage III colorectal adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Expression levels of EMX2 in human colorectal cancer and adjacent mucosa were assessed by qRT-PCR technology, and results were correlated with clinical and survival data. siRNA-mediated knockdown and adenoviral delivery-mediated overexpression of EMX2 were performed in order to investigate its effects on the migration of colorectal cancer cells in vitro.

Results

Compared to corresponding healthy mucosa, colorectal tumor samples had decreased EMX2 expression levels. Furthermore, EMX2 down-regulation in colorectal cancer tissue was associated with distant metastasis (M1) and impaired overall patient survival. In vitro knockdown of EMX2 resulted in increased tumor cell migration. Conversely, overexpression of EMX2 led to an inhibition of tumor cell migration.

Conclusions

EMX2 is frequently down-regulated in human colorectal cancer, and down-regulation of EMX2 is a prognostic marker for disease-free and overall survival. EMX2 might thus represent a promising therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
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Metadata
Title
EMX2 gene expression predicts liver metastasis and survival in colorectal cancer
Authors
Berk Aykut
Markus Ochs
Praveen Radhakrishnan
Adrian Brill
Hermine Höcker
Sandra Schwarz
Daniel Weissinger
Roland Kehm
Yakup Kulu
Alexis Ulrich
Martin Schneider
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-017-3556-2

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