Identification of a gene encoding a human oxysterol-binding protein-homologue: A potential general molecular marker for blood dissemination of solid tumors

This study describes a new potential role in human cancer for a gene, HLM, isolated by differential display, that bears homology to an oxysterol-bindi ng protein. A significant association between increased expression of HLM w ith metastatic disease was found. HLM mRNA levels were increased in circula ting tumor cells in patients' peripheral blood and in primary human epithel ial cells expressing the human papillomavirus16 E6 and E7 proteins. HLM mRN A was not detected in most normal human tissues, including peripheral blood and lymph node. These findings indicate that HLM may function as a potenti al marker for tumor dissemination.