Abstract
Abstract Background Carcinoma of uterine cervix accounts for most common malignancy in Indian women. Migration is one of the important processes fundamental to cell invasion and dissemination. Role of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is also very important in this crucial process and cannot be ignored. ECM proteins are involved in cell migration, tissue remodeling, angiogenesis and cell adhesion. Fibulin-1 is cysteine-rich, calcium-binding extracellular matrix and plasma protein that has been implicated as playing a role in tumour progression by modulating cell morphology, growth, adhesion, and motility. Increased plasminogen activator (PA) secretion has been observed in malignant cells and tissue and PA is thought to be involved in the processes of tumorigenesis, cancer invasion and metastasis. Laminins are important for proliferation, differentiation, growth, migration & angiogenesis. Besides the structural function of nidogens, it has long been suggested that nidogens play a role in cell attachment and tumor angiogenesis. Objectives This study was aimed to investigate the expression and significance of ECM proteins (Fibulin-1, uPA, Laminin and Nidogen) in advanced carcinoma of uterine cervix. Material & Methods 40 patients of cancer cervix stage IIIb were included in this study. Circulatory levels of Fibulin-1, Laminin and Nidogen were measured using high sensitivity ELISA kits. uPA activity was measured by activity assay kit. The levels of biochemical markers were compared with 20 healthy females, taken as control. mRNA levels of these molecules were further assessed by Real Time RT-PCR. Data was analyzed statistically. Results Statistical significant (p < 0.001) increase was observed in Fibulin-1, uPA and Laminin levels and found to be significantly correlated with each other whereas Nidogen evels were insignificantly increased as compared to controls. Increased mRNA expression for all these molecules has also been observed in the isolated PBMC by qRT-PCR except nidogen (statistically insignificant increase). Conclusion The elevated serum/plasma levels and increased quantitative expression of these ECM proteins suggests their involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study suggests that rise in ECM proteins might contribute to the complicated and unregulated process of metastasis in cancer of cervix. The association of extracellular matrix proteins and the prognosis of the disease may lead to have a better approach in treating the cervical cancer patients with a combination therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5184. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5184
Published Version
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