Background: The nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV) gene, which belongs to the cysteine-rich, angiogenic inducer 61/connective tissue growth factor/nephroblastoma overexpressed (CCN) family, is located in the 8q24 region and promotes migration and invasiveness in several types of malignancies. We explored the clinical significance of NOV expression in colorectal cancer (CRC).
Materials and methods: NOV expression in CRC specimens and CRC cell lines were evaluated. The association between the clinicopathlogical factors and NOV mRNA expression of tumor tissues was assessed in 126 patients with CRC. We assessed the relationships between NOV expression and overall survival in public databases. We performed overexpression experiments in vitro.
Results: CRC specimens and CRC cell lines showed high NOV expression. High NOV mRNA expression was correlated with poorer overall survival and higher Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) T factor. In public databases, high NOV expression was associated with poorer prognoses. Overexpression of NOV promoted invasiveness of CRC cells.
Conclusion: NOV may be an indicator of poor prognosis and a therapeutic target in CRC.
Keywords: NOV; colorectal cancer; invasion.
Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.