A novel screening test for colon cancer: Talin-1

O. Bostanci, O. Kemik, A. Kemik, M. Battal, U. Demir, S. Purisa, M. Mihmanli

General Surgery Clinic, Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ozgurkemik@hotmail.com

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• Surgery

OBJECTIVE: Cell adhesion and angiogenesis within the extracellular matrix involve special signaling molecules, such as integrins and the actin binding protein Talin-1. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe the expression of Talin-1 for the early detection of colon cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood serum samples were collected from 50 healthy volunteers and from 90 patients with colon cancer. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), all 140 samples were analyzed.

RESULTS: Preoperative levels of Talin-1 in the serum were significantly higher in patients with colon cancer (p < 0.001). No significant correlation was found between preoperative levels of Talin-1 in the serum and the age and gender of the patients (p < 0.05). However, a significant correlation was found between Talin-1 levels and the tumor grade, TNM stage, and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Talin-1 may play a role in the reinforcement of cell proliferation, cell adhesion, and angiogenesis in colon cancer. Thus, the Talin-1 protein activity may be a novel biomarker to detect colon cancer in humans.

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