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Novelty in CXCL12 Gene Expression Profiling Across Colorectal Cancer Stages II-III-IV: Implications for Early Tumor Progression | ||
| Rafidain Journal of Science | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 16 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Research Paper | ||
| DOI: 10.33899/rjs.2025.163360.1498 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Hiba Abd Alqader AL- Heyali* 1; Rojan Ganim AL- Allaf2 | ||
| 1university of mousl/ college of science/ biology department | ||
| 2University of Mosul, College of Sciences, Biology department | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major contributor to global cancer mortality, typically developing from adenomatous polyps through a series of genetic and epigenetic alterations. CXCL12, a homeostatic chemokine that signals via CXCR4 and CXCR7, plays a pivotal role in regulating cellular migration and is essential for processes such as hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, and immune surveillance. Aim: This study aimed to assess the gene expression profile of CXCL12 in colorectal cancer patients across stages II to IV. Methods: A total of 24 blood samples were collected, comprising 18 from newly diagnosed CRC patients (stages II, III, IV) and 6 from healthy controls. CXCL12 gene expression was quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests via SPSS software, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: A statistically significant downregulation of CXCL12 gene expression was detected in stage II and III CRC patients compared to the control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.0027, respectively). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in stage IV patients when compared to controls (p = 0.486). Conclusion: The observed downregulation of CXCL12 gene expression in stages II and III of colorectal cancer suggests a potential role for this chemokine in early tumor progression. The lack of significant change in stage IV may reflect altered tumor biology or immune microenvironment dynamics in advanced disease. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| CXCL12; CRC; Gene expression; qPCR | ||
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