CCT3 Facilitates the Malignant Progression of NSCLC and SCLC via PI3 K/AKT-EMT Axis and Emerges as a Novel Serum Diagnostic Biomarker - Article review

Sep 23, 2026

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Therapeutic target identification and early screening biomarkers are critical for improving lung cancer outcomes. This study examines CCT3, previously linked to tumor progression but with unclear roles in lung cancer proliferation, invasion, and diagnostic value. CCT3 was analyzed in TCGA/GEO, functionally tested in proliferation, migration, and invasion assays, and linked to PI3K/AKT signaling and EMT markers. Serum CCT3 was measured by ELISA in 714 participants, assessing diagnostic performance using ROC curves.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

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Abstract

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keywords

CCT3 Facilitates the Malignant Progression of NSCLC and SCLC via PI3 K/AKT-EMTAxis and Emerges as a Novel Serum Diagnostic Biomarker Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment Volume 25: 1-15 © The Author(s) 2026 Article reuse guidelines: [sagepub.com/journals-permissions](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[ ](sagepub.com/journals-permissions)[DOI: 10.1177/15330338251412203](DOI: 10.1177/15330338251412203)[ ](DOI: 10.1177/15330338251412203)[journals.sagepub.com/home/tct](journals.sagepub.com/home/tct) Guobin Song, PhD 1,* , Kexin Han, MS2,* , Lin Xiang, PhD 1,* , Tian Peng, PhD 1 , Hailong Chen, MS 1,3 , Anqi Tang, MS 1,3 , Yanan Li, PhD 1, Tianqi Lan, MS 1,3 , Houqun Ying, PhD 1,4 , and Xuexin Cheng, MS 1 Abstract Introduction: Identifying therapeutic targets and early screening biomarkers is essential for improving the prognosis of lung cancer. CCT3 has been linked to tumor progression; however, its role in lung cancer proliferation and invasion, as well as its diagnostic signiﬁcance remain poorly understood. Methods: CCT3 expression and its clinical correlations in lung cancer were analyzed utilizing data from the TCGA and GEO databases. The impact of CCT3 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion was evaluated through CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays. Western blotting was employed to assess the regulation of the PI3 K/AKT pathway and markers associate with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Serum CCT3 levels in 714 participants were measured via ELISA, with diagnostic efﬁcacy analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: CCT3 was over-expressed in lung cancer tissues, which was correlated with the stage of non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). CCT3 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by activating the PI3 K/AKT pathway and modulating EMT. In vivo, CCT3 knockdown signiﬁcantly suppressed tumor growth in xenograft models. Elevated serum levels of CCT3 have been observed in patients with lung cancer, exhibiting high diagnostic efﬁcacy for distinguishing NSCLC from benign nodules (AUC=0.873) and enhancing performance for small cell lung cancer when combined with proGRP. Conclusion: CCT3 facilitates the progression of lung cancer through the PI3 K/AKT-EMT axis, positioning it as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker. Keywords CCT3, NSCLC, SCLC, PI3 K/AKT pathway, biomarker, EMT Introduction Lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and stands as the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.1 Recent data from the National Cancer Center indicate that approximately 2.48 million new cases and over 1.82 million deaths occurred globally.2,3 Due to mild clinical symptoms or a lack of routine screening via low-dose spiral computed tomography, most patients are diagnosed at intermediate or advanced stages, often missing the opportunity for radical resection treatment.4–6 The advent of novel therapeutic strategies, including small molecular kinase inhibitors, anti-PD-1 or CTLA-4 monoclonal antibodies for tumor immunotherapy, has resulted in improved overall ﬁve-year outcomes for the 1Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Immunology and Inﬂammation, Jiangxi Provincial Clinical Research Center for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Afﬁliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, People’s Republic of China 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Afﬁliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China 3School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Central Hospital of Shangrao City, Shangrao, Jiangxi, People’s Republic of China *Guobin Song, Kexin Han, Lin Xiang, These authors contributed equally to this work Corresponding Author: Xuexin Cheng, MS, Department of Clinical Laboratory, Immunity and Inﬂammation Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province, The Second Af

FAQs

What is the study’s main purpose regarding CCT3 in lung cancer?

To clarify how CCT3 contributes to lung cancer progression and whether serum CCT3 can serve as an early diagnostic biomarker.

How were the effects of CCT3 on cancer cell behavior evaluated?

CCT3 expression and clinical correlations were analyzed using TCGA and GEO, and its effects on proliferation, migration, and invasion were tested with CCK-8, colony formation, and Transwell assays.

What signaling mechanism did the study connect CCT3 to?

CCT3 promotes malignant progression by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway and modulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

How was diagnostic effectiveness of serum CCT3 assessed?

Serum CCT3 levels from 714 participants were measured by ELISA, and diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, reporting AUC values such as 0.873 for distinguishing NSCLC from benign nodules.

Sep 23, 2026

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