Analysis the expression of a gene panel in patients with colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers in the world. Statistically, this cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide, and the third, though with an increasing trend, in Iran. One of the problems encountered in the treatment of CRC and other cancers is delayed diagnosis. CRC is usually diagnosed in advanced stages. One of the objectives of cancer research is to find biomarkers to determine the prognosis and risk of metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression changes of non-coding HOTAIR, AF147447, miR-141, miR-34c, and their target genes; PRC2 and MUC2, in patients with CRC. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 50 CRC patients referred to the colonoscopy clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital in Tehran. Punched biopsy samples obtained during colonoscopy were subjected to extract mRNAs for gene expression analysis using real time PCR. Results and conclusion: According to the expression patterns of the assessed genes in CRC tumor and marginal tissues, MUC2, PRC2 and HOTAIR can be considered as prognostic genes in this cancer. Also, the results of this study suggested the miR-34c as a promising prognostic marker in CRC patients. Further studies are required to confirm our findings.