IGFBP-4: A promising biomarker for lung cancer.

Savas Nur,Murat Kavas,Ismet Bulut,Baytemir Atinkaya,Akin Ozturk,Abdurrahman Coskun,Eroglu Aydogan,Sumeyye Alparslan,Murat Kolay

doi:10.5937/jomb0-25629

Abstract

Background: Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4), a member of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family, transports, and regulates the activity of IGFs. The pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) has proteolytic activity towards IGFBP-4, and both proteins have been associated with a variety of cancers, including lung cancer. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the use of IGFBP-4 and PAPP-A as potential biomarkers for lung cancer. Methods: Eighty-three volunteers, including 60 patients with lung cancer and 23 healthy individuals, were included in this study. The patients with lung cancer were selected based on their treatment status, histological subgroup, and stage of the disease. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to assess the serum levels of IGFBP-4 and PAPPA, whereas the IGF-1 levels were measured using a chemiluminescent immunometric assay. Results: The serum IGFBP-4 levels in all patient groups, regardless of the treatment status and histological differences, were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.005). However, the serum PAPP-A levels in the untreated patient group were found to be higher than those in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.086). Conclusions: The serum PAPP-A and IGFBP-4 levels are elevated in lung cancer. However, IGFBP-4 may have better potential than PAPP-A as a lung cancer biomarker.

Highlights

Among all the different types of cancer, lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed one (2.1 million new cases per year) and is responsible for most cancer-related deaths (1.7 million deaths per year) [1]
In this study, the insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4), and plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) levels were analysed in samples from patients with different lung cancer types and stages to evaluate their potential use as lung cancer biomarkers
Our findings showed that the serum IGFBP-4 levels of all patient groups, regardless of the treatment (TP and untreated patients (UTP)) and histological type (AC, squamous cell carcinoma (SC), and Small cell carcinoma (SCC)), were significantly higher than those in the control group

Summary

Introduction

Among all the different types of cancer, lung cancer is the most frequently diagnosed one (2.1 million new cases per year) and is responsible for most cancer-related deaths (1.7 million deaths per year) [1]. Lung cancer progresses quietly and insidiously, and the majority of patients are often only diagnosed at an advanced stage. Considering all stages, the 5-year survival rate for patients with lung cancer is approximately 17% [2]. The overall 5-year survival rate for patients with lung cancer increases when the disease is detected at an early stage, but only 15% of patients are diagnosed at early stages [2]. Sputum cytology and chest X-rays are common methods for diagnosis, they are often insufficient [3]. CT is seen as the most effective method for early diagnosis. The sensitivity of this method is 88.9% for low-dose CT, whereas it is only 78.3% for chest X-rays. Exposure to radiation is a significant disadvantage in CT [3, 4]

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