Small Proline-Rich Protein 2A and 2D Are Regulated by the RBM38-p73 Axis and Associated with p73-Dependent Suppression of Chronic Inflammation

Protein Biomarkers of Gastric Preneoplasia and Cancer Lesions in Blood: A Comprehensive Review

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. It is often associated with a bad prognosis because of its asymptomatic phenotype until advanced stages, highlighting the need for its prevention and early detection. GC development is preceded by the emergence of gastric preneoplasia lesions (GPNLs), namely atrophic gastritis (AG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and dysplasia (DYS). GC is currently diagnosed by endoscopy, which is invasive and costly and has limited effectiveness for the detection of GPNLs. Therefore, the discovery of non-invasive biomarkers in liquid biopsies, such as blood samples, in order to identify the presence of gastric preneoplasia and/or cancer lesions at asymptomatic stages is of paramount interest. This comprehensive review provides an overview of recently identified plasma/serum proteins and their diagnostic performance for the prediction of GPNLs and early cancer lesions. Autoantibodies appear to be promising biomarkers for AG, IM and early gastric cancer detection, along with inflammation and immunity-related proteins and antibodies against H. pylori virulence factors. There is a lack of specific protein biomarkers with which to detect DYS. Despite the need for further investigation and validation, some emerging candidates could pave the way for the development of reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tests for the detection and prevention of GC.

FAM3B Serves as a Biomarker for the Development and Malignancy of Oral Lichen Planus

PURPOSE

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a potentially malignant condition with unclear etiology. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers and mechanisms for OLP progression through bioinformatics analyses.

METHODS

Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were screened to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between OLP patients and healthy individuals. The functions and enriched pathways of the DEGs were identified. Sequencing dataset GSE70665 was then used to analyze the role of DEGs in the development of OLP to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were utilized to evaluate clinicopathological characters of OSCC. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

A total of 24 DEGs were identified between OLP and normal samples. FAM3B was under-expressed in OLP compared with normal samples and was further significantly downregulated in OSCC compared with OLP. Under-expression of FAM3B was significantly correlated with tumor stage and disease-specific survival (DSS), progression-free interval (PFI) and overall survival (OS) of OSCC patients. With univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis, FAM3B was an independent prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

Under-expression of FAM3B was associated with the development and malignancy of OLP. FAM3B may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for OLP.