Identification of HOXB8 and KLK11 expression levels as potential biomarkers to predict the effects of FOLFOX4 chemotherapy.

AIM

To measure global gene expression in primary advanced colorectal cancer patients who have undergone fluorouracil, leucovorin and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX4) chemotherapy and screen valuable biomarkers to predict the effects of chemotherapy.

MATERIALS & METHODS: Samples from primary advanced colorectal cancer patients were collected. The effects of chemotherapy were evaluated, and patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group. Cancerous tissue gene expression profiles were detected by chip technology. Valuable biomarkers were screened by bioinformatic analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to characterize the pattern of HOXB8 and KLK11 expression. HOXB8 and KLK11 signal probe values were analyzed using receiver operating characteristic analysis.

RESULTS

There were differentially expressed genes in the two groups. HOXB8 and KLK11 proteins were observed in the nucleus and on the outside of the cancer cells, respectively. Their prediction accuracies were 79.9 and 76.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

HOXB8 and KLK11 may be classified as valuable biomarkers, as they can predict the effects of FOLFOX4 chemotherapy in primary advanced colorectal cancer patients.