Background: CD97 is a member of the epidermal growth factor-seven transmembrane (EGF-TM7) receptor family and is dominantly expressed on immune cells and in a variety of malignant diseases. B7-H1 and B7-H3 are transmembrane proteins that are involved in suppression of the immune system. The aim of this study was to evaluate if these molecules are up-regulated in patients with cancer and change during chemotherapy.
Materials and methods: We analyzed cluster of differentiation (CD) protein expression levels on tumor cell lines and in blood samples of 37 patients with solid tumors at baseline and during chemotherapy; we correlated the serum levels of CD proteins with survival outcome.
Results: Levels of soluble CD97 proteins were significantly elevated in all three cancer types compared to healthy controls. Patients with colorectal cancer and those with high CD97 levels had a significantly worse prognosis.
Conclusion: This study showed a marked elevation of soluble CD97 expression in patients with certain cancer types and demonstrated definite changes in CD protein expression during chemotherapy in one patient with metastatic breast cancer.
Keywords: B7-H1; CD274; CD276; CD97; immune signatures; solid tumors; transmembrane proteins.
Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.