The role of ZNF384, DNAH17, and NDST2 gene expression in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

Abstract

Background and aimNon-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that manifests itself in a number of histological and biological lymphoid malignancies with uncertain triggers. The most common type is diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) representing 30–40% of all cases. Most cases of DLBCL, approximately 80%, are designated as not otherwise specified. Recently, alterations of Zinc finger 384 (ZNF384), dynein axonemal heavy chain17 (DNAH17), and N-deacetylase and Nsulfotransferase 2 (NDST2) genetic expression have been frequently reported in several types of cancers, including acute leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma, and may influence patients' prognosis and survival. Using our recent research tools, we have examined the role of these genes ZNF384, DNAH17, and NDST2 in the tumorigenesis of DLBCL and discussed their potential as novel prognostic markers as well as molecular targets for DLBCL treatment. Subjects and methodsThis study recruited 100 subjects classified into the following groups: Group I included 50 patients newly diagnosed with NHL, DLBCL type, including both germinal center and non-germinal center subtypes. Group II included 50 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals as a control group. All of the participants have been subjected to thorough medical history-taking and clinical examination. As a part of metastatic workup, all patients underwent an abdominal ultrasound, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and bone marrow aspirate. Blood samples were collected to perform complete blood count (CBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), to estimate serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and β 2 microglobulin (β 2 M) levels, as well as to obtain RNA samples to detect the expression of ZNF384, DNAH17, and NDST2 genes. cDNA samples were extracted from RNA samples through the use of reverse transcription and the SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. ResultsApproximately, 78% of cases presented with stages II and III according to Ann Arbor staging system, and 50% had extranodal involvement. The most common extranodal site was gastrointestinal tract. Patients with DLBCL had significantly higher levels of LDH, β 2 M, and ESR versus controls. The ZNF384 expression was significantly higher in patients compared with controls and in patients with stages III and IV versus those with stages I and II. The NDST2 expression was significantly lower in patients versus controls and in stages I and II versus stages III and IV of the disease. The genetic expression of DNAH17 showed no statistical significance between the two groups. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that patients who expressed lower levels of NDST2 had better overall survival. On the contrary, overexpression of DNAH17 had a negative effect on survival. ConclusionThe ZNF384 is overexpressed, whereas NDST2 is downexpressed in DLBCL patients, and their expression levels are related to the prognosis of the disease. The increase in DNAH17 overexpression among patients is not statistically significant; however, it has an adverse effect on survival.