Combined detection of serum DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies for the diagnostic value of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of the combination of serum DKK1(Dickkopf-1) and P53 autoantibodies in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Serum levels of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the 126 patients with ESCC and 60 normal controls. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) was used to calculate the diagnostic efficiency. Results The serum levels of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies were significantly higher in ESCC than those in normal controls [(673.09±343.82)pg/ml vs (362.05±148.07)pg/ml, Z=6.158, P<0.000 1; (0.398±0.546) vs (0.069±0.050), Z=3.832, P<0.000 1]. ROC curves showed the optimum diagnostic cutoff for serum DKK1 was 588.77 pg/ml, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.780 (95%CI: 0.715~0.844, 61.9% sensitivity, 95.0% specificity). Measurement of P53 autoantibodies demonstrated an AUC of 0.674 (95%CI: 0.598~0.750, 45.3% sensitivity, 95.0% specificity). The combination of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies yielded an AUC of 0.843 (95%CI: 0.788~0.897, 73.8% sensitivity, 95.0% specificity). In early-stage ESCC, combined detection of DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies improved the diagnostic power, with an AUC of 0.903 (95%CI: 0.845~0.961, 81.0% sensitivity, 95.0% specificity). Conclusion Serum DKK1 and P53 autoantibodies can be used as potential diagnostic biomarkers for the ESCC. Combined detection of them might aid the early diagnosis of ESCC. Key words: Esophageal neoplasms; Diagnosis; Dickkopf-1; P53 autoantibody