Alcohol dehydrogenase iron containing 1 (ADHFE1) is associated with liver metastasis and regulates cellular function of gastric cancer.

BackgroundLiver metastasis and chemotherapy resistance are two unfavorable factors for the outcomes of gastric cancer patients. ADHFE1 was identified as cancer-related molecule and candidate for early detection in gastric cancer. This study evaluated the significance of ADHFE1 in gastric cancer, aiming to explore a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for gastric cancer.MethodsThe expression of ADHFE1 was detected by polymerase chain reaction and compared between 143 gastric cancer patients and 54 individuals with benign lesions. The role of ADHFE1 in gastric cancer development and prognosis was assessed. The effect of ADHFE1 on gastric cancer cell growth and motility was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 and Transwell assay. The angiogenesis and cisplatin resistance were assessed by related markers and the half maximal inhibitory concentration values.ResultsSignificant upregulation of ADHFE1 was observed in gastric cancer patients compared to individuals with benign lesions, which showed close association with the tumor node metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, and adverse prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Patients with liver metastasis showed higher serum ADHFE1 levels, which decreased after chemotherapy. Silencing ADHFE1 significantly suppressed gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis while its overexpression showed opposite effects. Moreover, the overexpression of ADHFE1 significantly improved the cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer cells.ConclusionSerum ADHFE1 served as an indicator for poor prognosis and liver metastasis of gastric cancer. ADHFE1 regulates gastric cancer cell progression, cisplatin resistance, and angiogenesis, suggesting its potential to serve as a therapeutic target.