Serum Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Tumor Characteristics Correlate with UBE2Q1 Protein Expression in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Sahereh  Rouzbehan; Danial  Khoshsoroor; Sara  Khakshournia; Sayed Mohammad  Shafiee

doi:10.18502/abi.v2i4.19108

Sahereh Rouzbehan Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Danial Khoshsoroor Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Sara Khakshournia Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Sayed Mohammad Shafiee Autophagy Research Center, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/abi.v2i4.19108

Keywords: Colorectal Neoplasms; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Ubiquitin Conjugating Enzyme E2 Q1; Pathology

Abstract

Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, ranking third in men and second in women. The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2Q1 has been reported to be overexpressed in colorectal tumors; however, its role in CRC pathogenesis and prognosis remains unclear. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a well-established biomarker elevated in CRC, used to monitor treatment response and disease progression. This study aimed to investigate the association between UBE2Q1 gene expression and CRC prognosis by evaluating its correlation with serum CEA levels.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 48 CRC patients undergoing surgery at Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, were analyzed. Tumor and adjacent normal tissues were collected for UBE2Q1 expression analysis via Western blotting. Concurrently, serum CEA concentrations were measured using ELISA, and liver function tests were assessed using an autoanalyzer. Clinical and pathological data, including tumor size, lymph node involvement, and liver function tests, were also recorded.

Results: The cohort had a mean age of 57.2 ± 14.6 years, with equal gender distribution. Mean serum CEA was 2.35 ± 3.45 ng/mL, and UBE2Q1 expression was 5.80 ± 12.39 arbitrary units. Tumor size averaged 29.17 ± 46.13 cm²; 21.4% had lymph node metastasis, and 70% exhibited well-differentiated pathology. Tumors were predominantly located in the rectum (35.7%) and colon (33.3%). A significant positive correlation was observed between serum CEA levels and UBE2Q1 expression (Spearman’s ρ = 0.38, p < 0.05). UBE2Q1 expression also correlated significantly with alkaline phosphatase and AST liver enzymes (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found between UBE2Q1 expression and age, sex, or histopathological features, while serum CEA correlated with pathological differentiation.

Conclusion: UBE2Q1 protein expression is positively associated with serum CEA levels and certain liver function markers, suggesting its potential utility as a prognostic biomarker in CRC. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its mechanistic role and clinical applicability.