HOX Genes as Potential Markers of Circulating Tumour Cells

Title:HOX Genes as Potential Markers of Circulating Tumour Cells

Volume: 16 Issue: 4

Author(s): R. Morgan and M. El-Tanani

Affiliation:

Keywords: Circulating tumour cells, HOX gene, biomarker.

Abstract: Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have significant diagnostic potential as they can reflect both the presence and recurrence of a wide range of cancers. However, this potential continues to be limited by the lack of robust and accessible isolation technologies. An alternative to isolation might be their direct detection amongst other peripheral blood cells, although this would require markers that allow them to be distinguished from an exceptionally high background signal. This review assesses the potential role of HOX genes, a family of homeodomain containing transcription factors with key roles in both embryonic development and oncogenesis, as unique and possibly disease specific markers of CTCs.

Cite this article as:

Morgan R. and El-Tanani M., HOX Genes as Potential Markers of Circulating Tumour Cells, Current Molecular Medicine 2016; 16 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1566524016666160316145715