Carla Coimbra Marques

OLFM4, KNG1 and Sec24C identified by proteomics and immunohistochemistry as potential markers of early colorectal cancer stages

AbstractBackgroundDespite recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and population screening programs, the identification of patients with preneoplastic lesions or with early CRC stages remains challenging and is important for reducing CRC incidence and increasing patient’s survival. MethodsWe analysed 76 colorectal tissue samples originated from early CRC stages, normal or inflamed mucosa by label-free proteomics. The characterisation of three selected biomarker candidates was performed by immunohistochemistry on an independent set of precancerous and cancerous lesions harbouring increasing CRC stages.ResultsOut of 5258 proteins identified, we obtained 561 proteins with a significant differential distribution among groups of patients and controls. KNG1, OLFM4 and Sec24C distributions were validated in tissues and showed different expression levels especially in the two early CRC stages compared to normal and preneoplastic tissues.ConclusionWe highlighted three proteins that require further investigations to better characterise their role in early CRC carcinogenesis and their potential as early CRC markers.

Innovative methodology for the identification of soluble biomarkers in fresh tissues

The identification of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers from early lesions, measurable in liquid biopsies remains a major challenge, particularly in oncology. Fresh human material of high quality is required for biomarker discovery but is often not available when it is totally required for clinical pathology investigation. Hence, all OMICs studies are done on residual and less clinically relevant biological samples. Here after, we present an innovative, simple, and non-destructive, procedure named EXPEL that uses rapid, pressure-assisted, interstitial fluid extrusion, preserving the specimen for full routine clinical pathology investigation. In the meantime, the technique allows a comprehensive OMICs analysis (proteins, metabolites, miRNAs and DNA). As proof of concept, we have applied EXPEL on freshly collected human colorectal cancer and liver metastases tissues. We demonstrate that the procedure efficiently allows the extraction, within a few minutes, of a wide variety of biomolecules holding diagnostic and prognostic potential while keeping both tissue morphology and antigenicity unaltered. Our method enables, for the first time, both clinicians and scientists to explore identical clinical material regardless of its origin and size, which has a major positive impact on translation to the clinic.

Potential diagnostic biomarkers of Ulcerative colitis-associated colorectal dysplasia

1GIGA-R, ULiège, Translational Gastroenterology, Liège, Belgium, 2CHU de Liège, HepatoGastroenterology and Digestive oncology, Liège, Belgium, 3CHU de Liège, Pathological anatomy and cytology, Liège, Belgium, 4GIGA proteomic facility, ULiège, Liège, Belgium, 5ULiège, Laboratory of mass spectrometry, Chemistry, Liège, Belgium, 6GIGA-R, ULiège, Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Liège, Belgium, 7ULiège, Mammalian cell culture laboratory, Liège, Belgium, 8CHU de Liège, Abdominal Surgery Department, Liège, Belgium, 9CHC de Liège, Gastroenterology, Liège, Belgium, 10CHR Citadelle de Liège, Gastroenterology and Digestive oncology, Liège, Belgium