ECRG4: a new potential target in precision medicine.
10.1007/s11684-018-0637-9
- Author:
Xin QIN
1
;
Ping ZHANG
2
,
3
Author Information
1. Medical College, Hubei University of Arts and Science, Xiangyang, 441053, China.
2. State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology, Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China. pingzhang0622@
3. com.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
ECRG4;
cell senescence;
epithelium homeostasis;
precision medicine;
sentinel molecule;
tumor suppressor gene
- From:
Frontiers of Medicine
2019;13(5):540-546
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Given the rapid development in precision medicine, tremendous efforts have been devoted to discovering new biomarkers for disease diagnosis and treatment. Esophageal cancer-related gene-4 (ECRG4), which is initially known as a new candidate tumor suppressor gene, is emerging as a sentinel molecule for gauging tissue homeostasis. ECRG4 is unique in its cytokine-like functional pattern and epigenetically-regulated gene expression pattern. The gene can be released from the cell membrane upon activation and detected in liquid biopsy, thus offering considerable potential in precision medicine. This review provides an updated summary on the biology of ECRG4, with emphasis on its important roles in cancer diagnosis and therapy. The future perspectives of ECRG4 as a potential molecular marker in precision medicine are also discussed in detail.
