Detecting of p16 Autoantibody as a Potential Early Diagnostic Serum Biomarker in Patients with Cervical Cancer.

Abstract

Over-expression of tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) may trigger secretion of their auto-antibodies. The present work was designed to test whether circulating antibody to P16 protein-derived antigens was altered in cervical cancer. 141 cases of cervical cancer patients, 133 cases of cervical benign tumor patients, and 153 healthy volunteers matched in age were recruited. The level of circulating P16 auto-antibody was tested using an ELISA developed in-house with linear peptide antigens derived from the P16 protein. The P16 auto-antibody in the malignant tumor group had a significantly higher level than the healthy control group and the benign tumor group (t = 4.016, p < 0.001; t = 3.879, p < 0.001). Patients with stage I cervical cancer have the highest level of P16 autoantibody and the sensitivity against > 90% specificity was 20.3%. The circulating auto-antibody to P16 may be one of a series of potential biomarkers with early prognostic values for cervical cancer.