The combined use of serum neurotensin and IL-8 as screening markers for colorectal cancer.
Title | The combined use of serum neurotensin and IL-8 as screening markers for colorectal cancer. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2014 |
Authors | Sgourakis, G., Papapanagiotou A., Kontovounisios C., Karamouzis M. V., Dedemadi G., Goumas C., Karaliotas C., & Papavassiliou A. G. |
Journal | Tumour Biol |
Volume | 35 |
Issue | 6 |
Pagination | 5993-6002 |
Date Published | 2014 Jun |
ISSN | 1423-0380 |
Keywords | Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Colorectal Neoplasms, Early Detection of Cancer, Female, Humans, Interleukin-8, Male, Middle Aged, Neurotensin, Receptors, Neurotensin, ROC Curve, Tumor Markers, Biological |
Abstract | This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility of serum neurotensin/IL-8 values being used as a screening tool for colorectal cancer. Fifty-six patients and 15 healthy controls were assigned to seven groups according to their disease entity based on theater records and histology report. Blood samples for neurotensin and IL-8 were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. There were no differences in the clinical and biochemical parameters of patients and controls. Group (p=0.003) and age (p=0.059, marginally significant) were independent predictors of neurotensin plasma values. Neurotensin (p=0.004) and IL-8 (p=0.029) differed between healthy and colorectal cancer patients. Neurotensin values differentiate the control group from all remaining groups. The value of plasma neurotensin ≤ 54.47 pg/ml at enrollment selected by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves demonstrated a sensitivity of 77 %, specificity of 90 %, and an estimate of area under ROC curve (accuracy) of 85 % in predicting colorectal cancer. At enrollment, the value of plasma IL-8 ≥ 8.83 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 85 %, specificity 80 %, and an estimate of area under ROC curve (accuracy) of 81 % in predicting colorectal cancer. IL-8 should be used complementary to neurotensin due to its lower specificity. None of the colorectal cancer patients displayed a combination of high neurotensin and low IL-8 values (beyond cutoffs). It seems that a blood neurotensin/IL-8 system may be used as a screening tool for colorectal cancer, but much has to be done before it is validated in larger-scale prospective studies. |
DOI | 10.1007/s13277-014-1794-3 |
Alternate Journal | Tumour Biol. |
PubMed ID | 24627130 |