mRNA expression profiling of leptin and adiponectin and its receptors in colorectal carcinoma – Biomarker development

Background

Metastatic colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is one of the leading causes of mortality of colorectal CRC. Very few prognostic markers and factors affecting progression are studied between metastatic CRC and early CRC. Adipokines are speculated to be associated with this area of interest. In the current study leptin, leptin receptor (Ob-R), adiponectin, adiponectin R1, and adiponectin R2 expression were measured at gene levels to determine a possible association between adipokines and early/metastatic cancer to ultimately identifying a definitive diagnostic marker.

Materials and methods

Tissue samples were obtained from 62 patients with radical specimens of CRC. Genes expression was determined by Quantitative Reverse-Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The association between the clinicopathological parameters and gene expression levels were analyzed by statistical analysis.

Results

Overexpression of leptin mRNA is observed in small tumors (size< 5 cms) (P<0.05).b. Leptin receptor were overexpressed in advanced tumors (1.013 ± 0.152) than early tumors (0.453 ± 0.131). c.Adiponectin expression was higher in early tumors (1.535 ± 0.406) than in advanced tumors (0.48 ± 0.148). d. Distant organ metastasis shows under-expression of adipoR1. e.Overexpression of adipoR2 is seen in small (size<5 cms) (P<0.05) tumors.

Conclusion

LEPR is better indicator of advancement of tumor than Leptin. ADIPOR1 is a better indicator in advanced CRC than ADIPOR2 and ADIPOQ.