Wisteria floribunda agglutinin-sialylated mucin core polypeptide 1 is a sensitive biomarker for biliary tract carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a multicenter study

Junichi Shoda,Atsushi Kuno,Michiaki Unno,Takahiro Yasaka,Susumu Tazuma,Nobuaki Ohkohchi,Takashi Shida,Atsushi Matsuda,Kazuhisa Uchiyama,Masakazu Yamamoto,Hisashi Narimatsu,Masato Nagino,Yasuni Nakanuma,Toshio Tsuyuguchi

doi:10.1007/s00535-016-1230-0

Abstract

BackgroundWisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA)-sialylated mucin core polypeptide 1 (MUC1) was investigated as a new glycoprotein marker for cholangiocarcinoma (CC) using glycoproteomics technologies. In this multicenter study, WFA-sialylated MUC1 levels in serum and bile samples were measured to determine their diagnostic capability in biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) and intrahepatic (Ih) CC.MethodsThe study included 244 patients with BTC, 59 patients with IhCC, 287 patients with benign biliary tract diseases, and 44 control subjects.ResultsSerum WFA-sialylated MUC1 levels were significantly higher in patients with either BTC or IhCC than in control subjects and those with benign biliary tract diseases. Patients with IhCC showed higher WFA-sialylated MUC1 levels than patients with tumors at other sites. No significant differences in WFA-sialylated MUC1 levels were found with regard to cancer stage or tissue type. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that WFA-sialylated MUC1 was superior to carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for the diagnosis of benign biliary tract diseases, BTC, and IhCC, as well as for stage I and II carcinomas. Significantly higher levels of biliary WFA-sialylated MUC1 were observed in BTC/IhCC than in benign biliary tract diseases. The diagnostic capability of biliary WFA-sialylated MUC1 was also superior to that of CA19-9, and diagnostic sensitivity was higher than that of biliary cytology for BTC/IhCC.ConclusionsWFA-sialylated MUC1 is a useful novel biomarker for BTC/IhCC. In the future, this measurement should be applied in the clinical setting.

Highlights

MethodsThe study included 244 patients with biliary tract carcinoma (BTC), 59 patients with IhCC, 287 patients with benign biliary tract diseases, and 44 control subjects
Both biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) and intrahepatic (Ih) cholangiocarcinoma (CC) are associated with a poor overall prognosis
Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA)-sialylated mucin core polypeptide 1 (MUC1) was superior to carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for the diagnosis of benign biliary tract diseases, BTC, and IhCC, as well as for stage I and II carcinomas

Summary

Methods

The study included 244 patients with BTC, 59 patients with IhCC, 287 patients with benign biliary tract diseases, and 44 control subjects. Results Serum WFA-sialylated MUC1 levels were significantly higher in patients with either BTC or IhCC than in control subjects and those with benign biliary tract diseases. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that WFA-sialylated MUC1 was superior to carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for the diagnosis of benign biliary tract diseases, BTC, and IhCC, as well as for stage I and II carcinomas. Higher levels of biliary WFA-sialylated MUC1 were observed in BTC/IhCC than in benign biliary tract diseases. Conclusions WFA-sialylated MUC1 is a useful novel biomarker for BTC/IhCC. In the future, this measurement should be applied in the clinical setting. 10 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Introduction

Patients and methods

Results

Discussion

Compliance with ethical standards