Potential role of annexin A7 in cancers

Annexin A7 (Anxa7) is a member of the multigene annexin superfamily of Ca(2+)-regulated and phospholipid-binding proteins. Accumulated evidence indicates that the deregulation, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and subcellular localization of Anxa7 are associated with the occurrence, invasion, metastasis and progression of a variety of cancers. Anxa7 appears to have a tumor-suppression role in glioblastoma, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), melanoma and prostate cancer (CaP) but, controversially and interestingly, Anxa7 also appears to promote the development and malignancies of liver cancer, gastric cancer (GC), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), colorectal cancer (CRC) and breast cancer (BC). The associations between Anxa7 and malignant tumors as well as potential mechanisms of action are summarized and discussed in current review. Anxa7 has potential for use as a biomarker for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of certain tumors.