Early Cancer Detection: CD24 and APC Gene Polymorphism

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• CD24: An Early Cancer Marker
• APC Gene Polymorphism and Cancer Risk
• Importance of Routine Screening
• Monitoring CD24 Expression Levels
• Integrative Cancer Prevention Strategies
• Full Transcript

CD24: An Early Cancer Marker

Dr. Nadir Arber, MD, highlights the role of CD24 as a significant marker for early cancer detection. CD24 is rarely expressed on normal cells but is overexpressed in cancer cells, making it a potential universal marker for various cancers. This overexpression suggests CD24's involvement in cancer pathways, providing a promising target for both detection and treatment.

APC Gene Polymorphism and Cancer Risk

The APC gene polymorphism, particularly at position 1307, is a critical indicator of increased cancer risk. Dr. Nadir Arber, MD explains that this genetic variation can significantly elevate cancer susceptibility, especially in men, who are prone to more than eight different cancers. Women with this mutation are at risk for colon, breast, and skin cancers, but tend to have better overall cancer survival rates.

Importance of Routine Screening

Dr. Nadir Arber, MD, stresses the necessity of routine cancer screening for individuals with APC gene mutations. He advocates for annual check-ups to monitor for various cancers, emphasizing that early detection is crucial for effective treatment and prevention. This proactive approach is vital for those at increased genetic risk.

Monitoring CD24 Expression Levels

Regular monitoring of CD24 expression levels is a key strategy in early cancer detection. Dr. Anton Titov, MD, discusses the potential of annual screenings to track CD24 levels in blood cells. Increased expression may indicate heightened cancer risk, allowing for timely intervention and potentially improved outcomes.

Integrative Cancer Prevention Strategies

Dr. Nadir Arber, MD, introduces his Integrative Cancer Prevention Centre, where individuals with APC gene mutations receive comprehensive screening and prevention strategies. He opposes the "ostrich strategy" of ignoring cancer risk, advocating instead for vigilant monitoring and early intervention to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.

Full Transcript

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: Holy grail of cancer detection is a “yes or no” test for subclinical cancer. CD24 molecule level is one test for early cancer. Mutations in the APC gene can also signal early cancer presence or increased risk for many cancers. Leading cancer expert explains.

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: You mentioned that you work on particular tumor markers. They are overexpressed on the circulating normal blood cells. You published several very interesting papers on a CD24 early cancer marker. You also did research on the polymorphism of the APC gene. Please describe how those tumor markers can help detect early cancer.

Dr. Nadir Arber, MD: Polymorphism of the APC gene is very interesting. We have 3 billion bases in our genome. There could be a mutation in one of the DNA building blocks in the gene of APC in position 1307. There is an exchange of one amino acid, isoleucine, for valine. It can tell us that mutation carriers are susceptible to cancer more than the general population. Especially for men. Men with APC gene mutation are susceptible to more than eight cancers. They are all different cancers, and there is an increased cancer mortality rate.

Women with APC gene mutation are less vulnerable to cancers. Women are prone to three cancers: colon cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer. But surprisingly, the overall outcome cancer survival is better. Cancer patients with APC gene mutation do better than non-carriers. This is just an example of what a simple early cancer blood test can tell us. It is a single nuclear polymorphism in our genome. It can tell that this particular person is at a significant increased risk of having cancer.

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: We published results of early cancer detection test. And from my daily clinical practice, I know it is working. I tell a patient to do this routine cancer detection checkup. I tell them this. You should do a cancer screening test. But this early cancer detection test is also based on your genome. Obtain medical second opinion on cancer. Then the acceptance rate for cancer screening is much higher.

CD24 is not a new gene. CD24 was gene number 24 that was found. Today we have over 250 CD genes. CD24 was one of the few earlier genes. But not many research groups are working on CD24.

Dr. Nadir Arber, MD: We believe that CD24 is a very important gene for early cancer detection. It is very important to play a role upstream. CD24 gene is involved in many pathways, especially in cancer pathways. CD24 is rarely expressed on normal cells. Only on B lymphocytes. CD24 has some importance in the development of the brain, kidneys, and some other organs. But when you have the mouse knockout CD24 phenotype, it is normal. But we do see that CD24 is overexpressed on all cancers. This tells us that CD24 has general importance in cancer formation. It's a general phenomenon in the development of cancer.

This is something that I like. Because if you can use CD24 to detect cancer, or to treat cancer, we can have one test and one medicine for many cancers. We do that in the lab in mice. Now we are switching detection and treatment of early cancer in human beings.

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: It is interesting the APC is not just the polymorphism. One single nucleotide just could be present in a normal individual. But it could indicate the increased risk for eight different cancers. It is not only a risk factor for colorectal cancer?

Dr. Nadir Arber, MD: Exactly, exactly! Between 1.5% and 2% of people carry APC gene polymorphism. It is a lot of people. They have 50 to 100% more likelihood or risk to develop cancer than the general population. This is quite significant! This is what I have established. You're going to come to discuss my unique Integrative Cancer Prevention Centre.

We tell people with APC gene mutation. At least once a year you have to come to my clinic here in Tel Aviv Medical Center. We have to do this routine screening for different cancers because you are prone to develop cancer. I'm against the ostrich strategy in cancer screening. We have to look with open eyes. If we are susceptible to cancer, we have to try to detect it early. It is even better to prevent cancer.

Certainly! Well, that's the only strategy to go forward, clearly! And CD24 importance in early cancer detection is this. Normally, if a person does not have any risk of cancer, CD24 will be expressed at a low level. If cancer risk increases, CD24 will then start to be expressed at a higher level.

Dr. Anton Titov, MD: In other words, the strategy could be to get checked at regular intervals for the CD24 expression on all blood cells?

Dr. Nadir Arber, MD: Exactly! Once a year. Once a year! This is the magic number, obviously. There is no published medical literature. But I believe that if you do early cancer screening once a year, then it's something that is doable. It's like testing your car. You can do it once a year.