{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"LIN28 homolog A is a protein that in humans is encoded by the LIN28 gene. LIN28 is thought to regulate the self-renewal of stem cells, is highly expressed in human embryonic stem cells and can enhance the efficiency of the formation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells from human fibroblasts."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"LIN28 has been found to be a highly sensitive marker for testicular intratubular germ cell neoplasias, classic seminomas, embryonal carcinomas, and yolk sac tumors (YST) with relatively high specificity. LIN28 can be used as a diagnostic marker for these tumors and has demonstrated a similar level of diagnostic utility as SALL4. The major advantage of LIN28 over OCT4 is in diagnosing yolk sac tumors (yolk sac tumors negative for OCT4). In another study, LIN28 was found to be a sensitive marker of ovarian primitive germ cell tumors like Gonadoblastomas, Dysgerminomas, Embryonal Carcinomas, and YSTs. LIN28 can be used to distinguish them from non- testicular germ cell tumors. High expression of Lin28 is associated with poor prognosis and high tumor aggressiveness in esophageal cancer and these effects are mediated through increased proliferation and invasiveness of esophageal cancer cells."}]}]}