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Table 1 Brief description of candidate biomarkers used for CRC diagnosis

From: Signature mRNA markers in extracellular vesicles for the accurate diagnosis of colorectal cancer

No.

Biomarker

Function

1

MYC

• Transcription factor involved in genesis and progression of cancers

2

FZD10

• Transmembrane protein acting as a receptor for the Wingless type MMTV integration site

• Upregulated in primary colon cancers

3

EGFR

• Tyrosine kinase receptor that regulates cell growth, differentiation, and angiogenesis

4

VEGF

• Angiogenic factor in CRC

• Increased level correlated with advanced lymph node status and distant metastasis

5

CDX2

• Caudal-related homeobox gene that controls cell functions such as adhesion, proliferation, and apoptosis

6

CD44

• Transmembrane glycoprotein that regulates cell adhesion, proliferation, growth, migration, angiogenesis, and differentiation

7

CD133

• Transmembrane glycoprotein identified in colon tumors

• High expression associated with distant metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy

8

CEA

• Expressed in most cancers

• Involved in tumorigenesis by enhancing tumor cell survival and inducing tumor angiogenesis

9

CK19

• Expressed at various levels in epithelial cells

• Metastatic once circulated in blood

10

ALDH1

• Important role in early differentiation of cancer stem cells and their proliferation and metastasis

11

EpCAM

• Highly expressed on proliferative, intestinal epithelial cells

• Loss is generally associated with a tumor-promoting role

12

CD24

• GPI-anchored membrane protein involved in development and progression of malignant tumors, including CRC

  1. MYC myelocytomatosis; FZD frizzled; EGFR epidermal growth factor receptor; VEGF vascular endothelial growth factor; CDX caudal type homeobox; CD cluster of differentiation; CEA carcinoembryonic antigen; CK cytokeratin; ALDH aldehyde dehydrogenase; EpCAM epithelial cell adhesion molecule