Potential Utility of A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

APRIL (A proliferation-inducing ligand) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily that is overexpressed in a variety of malignant tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Its key physiological roles include inducing the immunoglobulin switch and ensuring plasmocyte survival. In terms of pathological roles, APRIL antagonism has been identified as a key target in autoimmune diseases and immunoglobulin disorders. As previously demonstrated, several inflammatory processes occur at the site of neoplastic initial stages, and their local symptoms are difficult to detect, particularly in the early stages. That is why we chose to study the current literature on APRIL's role in the development of colorectal cancer. The main objective of our research was to investigate the role of APRIL in cancer initiation and its usefulness in the detection and therapy of CRC. Interestingly, the findings conducted so far show that the selected protein has a significant potential as a CRC biomarker and treatment target. Importantly, based on its concentration, it is possible to identify CRC patients, but whether the lesion has a benign or malignant nature, indicating the possibility of rapid detection of an ongoing disease process.

Keywords: APRIL; CRC; TNFSF13; diagnostics; prognosis; screening; therapy.

Figure 1

TNFSF13 (APRIL), its sources, and receptors [10]. Description: Neutrophils, monocytes, and DCs are major APRIL producers. Once secreted, APRIL binds to TACI and BCMA. HSPGs have the ability to boost and aggregate APRIL on the target cell surface. Abbreviations: TNFSF13—APRIL protein; HSPGs—heparin sulfate proteoglycans; BCMA and TACI—APRIL-binding receptors.