Objective: To identify whether HOX genes can be used as markers of esophageal cancer.
Methods: The expression of 39 HOX genes in esophageal cancer cell lines was examined. Specific primers were designed and RT- PCR was performed for each HOX gene members in above esophageal cancer cell lines, EC109 and CAES.
Results: Fifteen out of 39 HOX genes were expressed in esophageal cancer cell lines. They were HOXA2, HOXA7, HOXA9, HOXA10, HOXA13, HOXB7, HOXB9, HOXC4, HOXC5, HOXC6, HOXC8, HOXC9, HOXD9, HOXD10, and HOXD13 respectively. Of them. Eleven genes were overlapped with the ones detected in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) in our former study.
Conclusion: This study reconfirms our former that some HOX genes are deregulated expressed in ESCC, which provides more positive evidence for their roles in ESCC.