Clinical significance of serum tumor biomarkers level variation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of multi-tumor biomarkers combined variation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF).Methods Multiple serum tumor biomarkers,including AFP,CEA,CA125,CA153 and CA199 were detected in 25 patients with IPF and 23 healthy controls by chemiluminescence method,and the blood gas analysis,pulmonary function parameters and other clinical data were also collected simultaneously.Results All serum biomarkers measured in this study were significantly higher in IPF group than control,AFP([2.41±0.95]μg/L vs.[1.29±0.13]μg/L,t=4.32,P＜0.05),CEA([7.12±2.68]μg/L vs.[2.14±0.57]μg/L,t=3.69,P＜0.05),CA125([118.52±31.64]kU/L vs.[23.97±8.47]kU/L,t=4.15,P＜0.05),CA153([47.58±14.57]kU/L vs.[9.24±4.21]kU/L,t=5.87,P＜0.05),and CA199([165.78±21.13]kU/L vs.[14.51±5.74]kU/L,t=4.22,P＜0.05).The serum levels of AFP,CEA,CA125,CA153,CA199 were negatively correlated with blood oxygen pressure(r=-0.15--0.55,Ps＜0.05),vital capacity(r=-0.09--0.49,Ps＜0.05),lung diffusion capacity(r=-0.17--0.61,Ps＜0.05),while no significant correlations were found between different biomarker levels and ESR and CRP(Ps＞ 0.05).In addition,the serum level of different tumor markers increased along with the progress of pulmonary fibrosis,which showed statistical significance(Ps＜0.05).After hormone medication therapy,the serum tumor marker levels decreased significantly in IPF patients[AFP[2.41±0.95]μg/L vs.[1.67±1.22]μg/L,t=5.41,P＜0.05,CEA([7.12±2.68]μg/L vs.[3.75±1.96]μg/L,t=4.63,P＜0.05,CA125([118.52±31.64]kU/L vs.[53.22±13.56]kU/L,t=3.97,P＜0.05),CA153(47.58±14.5 vs.19.35±8.74 kU/L,t=5.15,P＜0.05),CA199(165.78±21.13 vs.58.85±17.31 kU/L,t=6.34,P＜0.05)].Conclusion Multiple serum tumor biomarkers significantly increased in patients with IPF,and had a close correlation with lung function damage.The changes of these biomarkers indicated the progress of pulmonary fibrosis,which served as the predictors of poor prognosis. Key words: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Tumor biomarkers; Lung function