Determination Of Tumor Markers Research Articles

Tumor markers determination in malignant pleural effusion: pearls and pitfalls.

Serum and pleural fluid tumor markers are well-recognized auxiliary diagnostic tools for malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Here, we discuss some pearls andpitfalls regarding the role of tumor markers in MPE management. The following issues are discussed in this article: What is the appropriate clinical scenario for evaluating pleural tumor markers? Which tumor markers should be advocated for diagnosing MPE? Can extremely high levels of tumor markers be employed to establish a diagnosis of MPE? Does the serum-to-pleural fluid ratio of a tumor marker have the same diagnostic efficacy as the measurement of that marker alone in the pleural fluid? Can tumor markers be usedto estimate the risk of specific cancers? What should beconsidered when interpreting the diagnostic accuracy of tumor markers? How should tumor marker studies be performed? We addressed these issues with published works, particularly systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Performance Evaluation of Newly-Developed Tumor Markers Assay Kit Based on Flow Fluorescence Assay.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of recently developed tumor marker clinical kits in China, with the aim of encouraging local medical technology innovation and thus narrowing the research and development gap with foreign kits. The newly established reagent kits were analyzed on the TESMI F3999-Luminex200 flow lattice instrument to verify precision, sensitivity (blank limit), linearity, anti-interference ability, carry-over contamination rate, hook effect, and reference interval verification. Additionally, the newly established reagent kits were compared to other commercially available detection kits (reference reagent kits) to analyze the correlation between the two types of kits. The intra-assay and inter-assay precision had coefficients of variations (CVs) less than 3.50% and 6.91%, respectively. The tumor marker blank limits were lower than the manufacturer's statement. The newly established reagent kits demonstrated excellent linearity (r > 0.99). Rheumatoid factor, triglycerides, bilirubin, and hemoglobin did not have significant interference with the determination of tumor markers. The carry-over contamination rates were all much lower than 3%. At extremely high concentrations of AFP (277,335 ng/mL and 1,031,424 ng/mL), the measured tumor marker values were higher than the upper limit of the linear range and no hook effect occurred. The reference interval was suitable for use in clinical laboratory settings. Correlation analysis indicated a satisfactory relevance and consistency between the newly developed reagent kits and reference reagent kits, with correlation coefficients of r > 0.967 among 654 patients and healthy individuals. The newly developed reagent kits for tumor markers performed well in all evaluated parameters, having the potential for clinical promotion and application.

The Benefit of an Extensive Cancer Screening Strategy After the First Episode of Unprovoked Pulmonary Embolism.

The etiological assessment after an acute unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE) represents an essential step in the overall management of the patient, with the aim of adapting the duration and type of anticoagulant to be used, avoiding recurrence and thus improving overall morbidity and mortality, but this is not such a simple question to answer. The main objective of this work is to know the benefit of a limited etiology strategy versus an extensive strategy after a first episode of acute non-provoked PE, first on all-cause mortality, and then the superiority of one strategy over another on the diagnosis of cancer at 1 year in patients admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit. This is a single-center, retrospective study from 2014 to 2021, which includes all patients, admitted to a cardiac intensive care unit for a first episode, at high or high intermediate risk of mortality at day 30. The included patients were divided into 2 groups: those who received a limited cancer screening strategy, and those who received, in addition to the latter, an injected cerebral and cervical-thoracic-abdominal scan, and the determination of tumor markers. All data were extracted from the medical hospital files. In total, we included 130 patients. The mean age of our patients was 87.19 (SD = 6.1), with a female predominance with a percentage of 55.4%. Eighty-seven patients benefited from an extensive cancer screening strategy, versus 43 patients who benefited from a limited strategy. First, for mortality at 1 year, 27 deaths were found between the 2 groups but without significant difference (hazard ratio; 0.53; P = 0.16), and for the mean duration from embolic episode to death, there was a mean of 20 weeks for the limited strategy group and 24 weeks for the extensive strategy group, with a nonsignificant difference ( P = 0.106). For the diagnosis of cancer at 1 year, 28 patients were diagnosed with cancer: 13 patients in the limited strategy group versus 15 in the extensive strategy group, with no significant difference (hazard ratio, 1.983; P = 0.082). The mean time to diagnosis was 22 weeks in the limited strategy group and 20 weeks in the extensive strategy, with no significant difference ( P = 0.729). To date, no scientific evidence has been established for the extensive versus the limited strategy, therefore, a minimal etiological workup is also effective in the detection of cancer after unprovoked PE.

Method Comparison and Clinical Performance of Breast Cancer Tumor Markers on Novel Multiplex Immunoassay and Automatized LOCI Technology Platforms.

Tumor marker determinations are valuable tools for the guidance of breast cancer patients during the course of disease. They are assessed on diverse analytical platforms that may be associated with differences according to the methods applied and the clinical performance. To investigate the method dependency and clinical significance of breast cancer protein tumor markers, CEA, CA 15-3, CA 125, CA 19-9 and AFP were measured in a total of 154 biobanked samples from 77 patients with breast cancer, 10 with DCIS, 31 with benign breast diseases and 36 healthy controls using a Millipore multiplex biomarker panel (MP) and an automized version of the routinely used Vista LOCI technology. The markers were compared between methods and investigated for diagnostic performance. CEA, CA 15-3 and AFP showed good correlations between both platforms with correlation coefficients of R = 0.85, 0.85 and 0.92, respectively, in all samples, but similarly also in the various subgroups. CA 125 and CA 19-9 showed only moderate correlations (R = 0.71 and 0.56, respectively). Absolute values were significantly higher for CEA, CA 15-3, CA 125 and AFP in the Vista LOCI as compared with the MP method and vice versa for CA 19-9. The diagnostic performance for discrimination of breast cancer from healthy controls was similar for both methods with AUCs in ROC curves for CEA (MP 0.81, 95% CI 0.72-0.91; LOCI 0.81; 95% CI 0.72-0.91) and CA-15-3 (MP 0.75, 95% CI 0.65-0.86; LOCI 0.67, 95% CI 0.54-0.79). Similar results were obtained for the comparison of breast cancer with benign breast diseases regarding CEA (AUC MP 0.62, 95% CI 0.51-0.73; LOCI 0.64, 95% CI 0.53-0.74) and CA-15-3 (MP 0.70, 95% CI 0.6-0.81; LOCI 0.66, 95% CI 0.54-0.77). Both platforms show moderate to good method comparability for tumor markers with similar clinical performance. However, absolute levels in individual patients should be interpreted with care.

Construction of Magnetic Core-Large Mesoporous Satellite Immunosensor for Long-Lasting Chemiluminescence and Highly Sensitive Tumor Marker Determination.

Chemiluminescence immunoassay exhibits high sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio, thus attracting great attention in the early diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of diseases. However, the collection of conventional flash-type chemiluminescence signal (<5s) relies heavily on automatic sampling and reading instrument. Herein, a novel core-satellite multifunctional chemiluminescence immunosensor is designed for the efficient enrichment and highly sensitive determination of cancer biomarker carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with enhanced and long-lasting output signal that can be conveniently recorded by a simple microplate plate reading instrument. Anti-CEA monoclonal antibody 2 (Ab2) modified Fe3 O4 @SiO2 microspheres (Fe3 O4 @SiO2 -Ab2, 370nm in diameter) are synthesized as the core for selectively capturing and enriching target CEA in solution, and anti-human CEA monoclonal antibody 1 (Ab1) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) co-immobilized dendritic large-mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs-HRP/Ab1, 80nm in diameter, pore size: 17nm) are synthesized as the satellite for efficient immunological recognition and signal amplification. The as-designed core-satellite magnetic chemiluminescence immunosensors exhibit a broad linear range of 0.01-20ngmL-1 and a low detection limit of 3.0pgmL-1 for the convenient, highly specific, and sensitive determination of CEA in human serum. Such core-satellite chemiluminescence immunosensors are expected to act as a powerful tool for in vitro detection of various biomarkers, overcome the defect of conventional chemiluminescence relying heavily on expensive and bulky automatic instruments and popularize chemiluminescence analysis to primary medical institutions and remote areas.

Mesenteric panniculitis in rheumatologist practice

Mesenteric panniculitis (MPn) is a rare form of adipose tissue inflammation, mainly of the intestinal mesentery, less often of the omentum, preand retroperitoneal tissue. There are not many descriptions of MPn in rheumatic diseases in the literature: in systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, mesenteric form (MF) of idiopathic lobular panniculitis (ILPn) and IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Given the polymorphism of clinical manifestations, including systemic ones, it is of interest to look at the problem of MPn from the perspective of a rheumatologist.Objective: to evaluate the clinical and laboratory features of MPn in modern rheumatological practice.Material and methods. The study included 64 patients (19 men and 45 women aged 19 to 76 years, median disease duration 28.6 [0.3; 243] months). Laboratory and instrumental studies were carried out according to a single algorithm, which included standard clinical, immunological methods, as well as the determination of fecal calprotectin and tumor markers, ultrasound of the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), computed tomography of the chest and abdominal organs, abdominal positron emission tomography, pathomorphological examination of biopsies of the skin, pancreas and mesentery.Results and discussion. 89% of patients had abdominal pain, 48.4% had nausea, 53.1% had weakness, 44% had subfebrile fever, 32.8% had articular syndrome, and 29.6% – skin and pancreas involvement. Median ESR was 34 [11; 52] mm/h, CRP level – 14 [2; 72] mg/l. Most of the immunological parameters remained within the normal range, but in some cases there was an increase in the concentration of rheumatoid factor, antibodies to the cyclic citrullinated peptide, IgG4. The level of tumor markers CA 125, CEA, CA 19–9 and TumorM2-PK was increased 2 times or more in 5 patients. In our study, all radiological signs and all degrees of severity of MPn were observed. An additional examination confirmed the presence of MF ILPn, RA, IgG4-RD, gastrointestinal, malignant, hematological and other diseases, which made it possible to identify five diagnostic blocks.Conclusion. Early diagnosis and correct interpretation of the described changes require a lot of work-up and a multidisciplinary approach, which contributes to accurate and timely recognition of the disease.

Correlation between human colon cancer specific antigens and Raman spectra. Attempting to use Raman spectroscopy in the determination of tumor markers for colon cancer

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. To follow up on the progression of the disease, tumor markers are commonly used. Here, we report serum analysis based on Raman spectroscopy to provide a rapid cancer diagnosis with tumor markers and two new cell adhesion molecules measured using the ELİSA method. Raman spectra showed higher Raman intensities at 1447 cm−1 1560 cm−1, 1665 cm-1, and 1769 cm−1, which originated from CH2 proteins and lipids, amide II and amide I, and CO lipids vibrations. Furthermore, the correlation test showed, that only the CEA colon cancer marker correlated with the Raman spectra. Importantly, machine learning methods showed, that the accuracy of the Raman method in the detection of colon cancer was around 95 %. Obtained results suggest, that Raman shifts at 1302 cm−1 and 1306 cm−1 can be used as spectroscopy markers of colon cancer.

Biomarker Profiling Revealed Carcinoembryonic Antigen as a Target of Artesunate in a Ductal Breast Cancer Patient.

Patients with metastatic tumors commonly have a poor prognosis. Frequently, patients suffering from progressive tumors have a high willingness for the compassionate use of non-approved medications. One of these medications is the antimalarial drug artesunate (ART) which also showed profound anticancer activity in vitro, in vivo, and in preliminary clinical pilot studies. Herein, we report on the compassionate use of ART in a patient with metastatic breast cancer. The clinical course of a Caucasian female who was diagnosed with ductal breast cancer at the age of 33 is described. Tumor markers in the blood have been measured, and tumor-associated protein expression has been determined by immunohistochemistry. Microscale thermophoresis and molecular docking in silico were used to study protein-drug interactions. The tumor responded to ART administered at doses of 150-300 mg daily, and the patient experienced a stabilization of her disease for 1.5 years. ART treatment caused no or minimal side-effects (headache, dizziness, slight tachycardia, slight stomach upset, slight fatigue). Tumor marker determination in the blood of the patient revealed a reduction of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), but not CA 27.29 or CA 15.3 levels. We hypothesized that the reduction of CEA levels might be due to binding of ART to this protein. Microscale thermophoresis with recombinant CEA indeed showed binding of ART to this protein in vitro. This result was verified by molecular docking in silico. Immunohistochemical biomarker profiling and computerbased quantification of biomarker expression in a tumor biopsy revealed strong expression of COX2, GRP78, CD71, GSTP1, and c-MYC but weak or minimal expression of VEGFR, P-glycoprotein, survivin, and LOX1. Among a panel of tumor-related proteins tested, the interaction with CEA may have contributed to the anticancer activity of ART in this patient. It deserves further investigation whether CEA represents not only a valuable biomarker but also a treatment target. ART might be useful for the individualized treatment of metastatic breast tumors.

The utility of metalloprotienase 9 (MMP-9) in diagnostics of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is characterized by increasing morbidity and high mortality, which translates into the necessity of searching and implementing new methods enabling early detection and effective treatment of this cancer. Such methods may include the determination of tumour markers, such as extracellular matrix metalloproteinases. In the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is of particular interest. MMP-9 is important in the process of carcinogenesis through its involvement in, among other things, tumour cell migration and invasion, metastasis formation, and angiogenesis. Preliminary results showed that tissue expression and serum levels of MMP-9 increase in patients with ovarian cancer, further correlating with stage and presence of metastases. However, more studies are needed to assess the usefulness of MMP-9, but the results already obtained show that it can be a useful parameter also in a combined analysis with markers standardly determined in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, i.e. CA 125 and HE-4. The aim of this study is to present, based on literature data, the potential usefulness of MMP-9 in the diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian cancer.

A label-free and signal-amplifiable assay method for colorimetric detection of carcinoembryonic antigen.

In this work, an innovative colorimetric assay method for the determination of carcinoembryonic antigen is developed with aptamer probes utilized as recognition element. DNA hybridization chain reaction is used as signal amplification technique, and peroxidase-mimicking hemin/G-quadruplex-assisted catalytic oxidation of 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) is deployed as signal reporting mechanism. The detection principle was firstly verified by using gel electrophoresis analysis and absorbance measurements. After condition optimization, a detection limit was theoretically determined as 24.8 ng/ml. Furthermore, the method exhibited good selectivity and satisfactory recovery rates (92.2%-108.6%) in serum samples. Moreover, the sensing scheme is easily extended for the detection of other analytes via similar target-aptamer recognition principle. To sum up, this is an enzyme- and label-free, cost-effective yet signal-amplifiable assay scheme for the determination of tumor markers with promising simplicity and selectivity, practical utility, and potential universality.

Electrochemiluminescent immunoassay for the determination of CA15-3 and CA72-4 using graphene oxide nanocomposite modified with CdSe quantum dots and Ru(bpy)3 complex.

Anovel immunoassay is introducedbased on co-reactant enhancing strategy for the electrochemiluminescent (ECL) determination of CA15-3 and CA72-4 tumor markers in real samples. For the preparation of the signaling probe, CA15-3 and CA72-4 antibodies first were labeled using Ru(bpy)32+-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (Ru(bpy)32+-NHS) and conjugated with L-cysteine capped cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots. Finally, it was cross-linked with chitosan-grafted graphene oxide (GO@CS) nanocomposite. The capture probe was constructed by deposition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) at the surface of dual-working gold screen-printed electrodes (MWCNT-dwSPE) and covalent attachment of capture CA15-3 and CA72-4 antibodies to MWCNT-dwSPE. ECL signals were recorded by applying cyclic potential ranging from 0.3 to 1.1 V (vs. pseudo-reference Ag/AgCl) at the scan rate of 100 mV.s-1. This immunoassay was used for determination of CA15-3 and CA72-4 in real samples the detection limits of 9.2 μU.ml-1 and 89 μU.ml-1 within linear ranges of 10 μU.ml-1-500 U.ml-1 and 100 μU.ml-1-150 U.ml-1, respectively. This immunoassay also showed acceptable accuracy with recoveries in the range 96.5-108 % and high reproducibility with RSD of 3.1 and 4.9.

Testicular Tumor Markers in the Spermatic Vein - Correlation to Pathology, Stage and Outcome

ObjectiveTo report our findings in patients with determination of testicular tumor markers from the vena spermatica during inguinal orchiectomy. MethodsIn a retrospective setting, data of patients who underwent inguinal orchiectomy between January 2004 and December 2014 were analyzed. Cubital and testicular vein tumor markers were assessed and correlated to histology, clinical stage and outcome. ResultsA total of 90 patients (seminomatous: n = 53, non-seminomatous: n = 37) with a median age of 37 years were included. The mean follow-up was 109 months. Overall, 60% (n = 54) of patients had one or more positive tumor marker level in the cubital vein vs 88.9% (n = 80) in the testicular vein. Median tumor marker levels of hCGβ in cubital and testicular vein were 1.9 U/l and 30.8U/l; the respective values for AFP were 2.9ng/ml and 2.4ng/ml and for hPLAP 49.9 mU/l and 418.9 mU/l. Differences in cubital vs testicular vein positivity were stage dependant and highest for pT1. Patients with seminomatous tumors had peripheral positivity of 59.3% vs 88.9% in the testicular vein (P = 0.003); in non-seminomatous patients the respective values were 61.1% and 88.9% (P = 0.02). All recurrent cancer patients under active surveillance (n = 5) were positive in the testicular vein. ConclusionVirtually all testicular cancers shed tumor markers in the circulation. Differences in marker positivity (testicular vs testicular vein) were stage dependent (greatest in pT1), largely independent of histology and highest for hCGβ. The prognostic value of testicular vein sampling remains speculative.

Late testicular relapse two decades after primary extragonadal germ cell tumor with uncommon metastases: a case report

BackgroundExtragonadal germ cell tumor (EGCT) is a relatively rare condition, reportedly representing 3–7% of all germ cell tumors. We report a patient who had metachronous testicular tumor with uncommon metastases 20 years after primary retroperitoneal EGCT treatment, along with a corresponding literature review.Case presentationA 49-year-old Japanese man visited our department in November 2017 with chief complaints of indolent right scrotum enlargement and a right inguinal mass. History showed that the patient visited our department of gastroenterology with chief complaints of blackish feces and ill complexion in February 1997. Computed tomography (CT) showed a right retroperitoneal tumor, which was removed in the same month. Histopathological examination showed a teratoma and yolk sac tumor. He was diagnosed with primary retroperitoneal EGCT and received three courses of chemotherapy (bleomycin/etoposide/cisplatin; BEP). Periodic imaging and the determination of tumor markers (alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) showed no recurrence or metastasis during the 5 years postoperatively. Subsequently, he did not visit the outpatient ward. In August 1999, he underwent surgery of right hydrocele. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a 35-mm contrast effect with uneven content in the right testicle and enlarged nodes that raised suspicion for metastases in the right inguinal and right external iliac lymph nodes. All tumor markers were within normal ranges. He underwent right high orchiectomy and resection of the right inguinal lymph nodes in the same month. Histopathological findings revealed seminoma (pT1, pN2, M0, S0, and TNM stage IIB). He received postoperative chemotherapy, one course of BEP therapy, and three courses of etoposide and cisplatin therapy. Post-chemotherapy CT confirmed a complete clinical response at the right external iliac lymph nodes, and this response continued 12 months later. No recurrence or metastasis has been found so far.ConclusionsWe report a patient in whom a testicular tumor with uncommon metastases occurred 20 years after primary retroperitoneal EGCT treatment. After EGCT treatment, testicular relapses tend to occur after relatively long-term follow-up. After EGCT treatment, such patients must be closely monitored for testicular recurrences and onset of testicular tumor.

Functional Role of Novel Indomethacin Derivatives for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Inhibition of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor

Several studies suggested anticancer potential of NSAIDs. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate novel indomethacin derivatives for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The molecular docking of derivatives was carried out for prediction of inhibitory effect on PDGFR-α using pass online software, followed by cytotoxicity study by performing MTT assay. The disease was induced with N-Nitrosodiethylamine (200 mg/kg, i.p.) followed by 2-acetylaminofluorene orally for two weeks. After 12 weeks of induction, treatment was given for one week and blood was collected for determination of biochemical parameters and tumor markers. Liver samples were isolated for immunohistochemistry, histopathology, and gene expression study for VEGF. JI-MT has shown maximum inhibitory activity for PDGFRα in docking study also showed good cytotoxic effect in the HepG2 cell line and based on the IC50 values, JI-MT was selected for in-vivo study. We have found statistically significant reduction in body weight gain, number of nodules and liver weight to body weight ratio with treatment with JI-MT. Hepatoprotective role of JI-MT has been observed in tumor-specific markers like α-fetoprotein levels, carcinoembryonic antigen and PDGF-α levels. Liver markers like ALT, ALP, AST, LDH and total bilirubin levels were found to be reduced with treatments. Also, on histopathological examination, the protective effect of JI-MT was observed. Treatment also showed increased expression of P53 in immunohistochemical analysis and up-regulation of VEGF gene by JI-MT. From the present study, we can conclude that JI-MT has potential in treatment of HCC by the virtue of PDGFRα inhibitory activity.

РАННИЙ РАК ЖЕЛУДКА: ДИАГНОСТИКА, ЛЕЧЕНИЕ И ПРЕДУПРЕЖДЕНИЕ

Keywords: Stomach cancer (Carcinoma ventriculi), early diagnosis, vortex magnetic field The presented data allow us to solve the main problems in the fight against stomach cancer. 1. Early diagnosis is very important in the stomach cancer timely treatment. Implementation of the early diagnosticsis relevant in the future of preserving the country’s population health. The use of prediction capabilities in the distribution of the population into risk groups with the allocation of a high risk group should be effective. The diagnosis quality depends on gastroscopy, exfoliative cytological or histological examination of gastrobiopsy material, determination of tumor markers (Cancer Embryonic Antigen, Specific Antigen-72-4). 2. Damaging factors action prevention on the gastric mucosa when using a magnetotherapy apparatus with a vortex component “Vitma-1”. Alternating vortex magnetic field, the proteolytic activity of gastric juice changes. It is possible to suppress the increased aggressiveness of the acid-peptic factor, which accompanies gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer; or to stimulate a pepsin activity increase in case of a decrease in the gastric juice proteolytic activity. 3. A significant role is assigned to a specific diet and the natural herbal remedies use in the risk group for the disease prevention.

Electrochemical assays for determination of H2O2 and prostate-specific antigen based on a nanocomposite consisting of CeO2 nanoparticle-decorated MnO2 nanospheres

Ananocomposite consisting of CeO2 nanoparticle-decorated MnO2 nanospheres (CeO2@MnO2) was synthesized for the first timevia a hydrothermal method. CeO2@MnO2 was exploited to construct anelectrochemical assays for detecting H2O2 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with square wave voltammetry (SWV). The electrochemical results proved that CeO2@MnO2 owned abetter electrocatalytic effect towards H2O2 reduction than pure MnO2 NS and CeO2 NP due to the synergistic effect between MnO2 NS and CeO2 NP. Under optimized conditions, CeO2@MnO2-based assay can be applied to detect H2O2 in the range 1 to 3.0 × 103μmolL-1. The label-free electrochemical immunoassay based on CeO2@MnO2 displayed linearly with concentrations of PSA from 0.005 to 50.0ngmL-1. The electrochemical assays also possessed acceptable sensitivity, selectivity, and stability. The study showed that CeO2@MnO2 hold great potential as abiosensing platform and the clinical determination of tumor markers in human serum. Graphical abstract A nanocomposite consisting of CeO2 nanoparticles decorated MnO2 nanospheres (CeO2 @MnO2) was firstly synthesized via a hydrothermal method. CeO2@MnO2 was firstly exploited to construct electrochemical assays for detecting H2O2 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) with square wave voltammetry (SWV), respectively. The electrochemical results proved that CeO2@MnO2 owned better electrocatalysis towards H2O2 reduction than pure MnO2 NS and CeO2 NP due to the synergistic effect between MnO2 NS and CeO2 NP. Under optimized conditions, CeO2@MnO2 based assay relative to the H2O2 system can be applied to detect H2O2 with range from 1 to 3.0 × 103 μmol L-1. The label-free electrochemical immunoassay based on CeO2@MnO2 relative to the H2O2 system displayed linearly with concentrations of PSA from 0.005 to 50.0 ng mL-1. The electrochemical assays also possessed acceptable sensitivity, selectivity and stability. The study showed that CeO2@MnO2 hold great potential for biosensing platform and the clinic determination of tumor markers in human serum.

Diagnostics of postnecrotic pancreatic cysts (review of literature)

The problem of diagnosing postnecrotic cysts of the pancreas is considered in this article. The characteristics of laboratory (determination of the level of amylase, cytological research of punctate, determination of tumor markers) and radiation (ultrasound, endosonography, RCP, MSCT, etc.) methods of research of this pathology are presented, their specificity in the differential diagnosis of cystic formations, depressurization of the main pancreatic duct and formation of the cyst wall is considered. We concluded that the use of radiation methods of research significantly improves the diagnosis of pseudocyst of the pancreas and allows to choose a rational treatment tactics and an adequate surgical intervention.

Electrochemical Biosensors for Determination of Colorectal Tumor Biomarkers.

The accurate determination of specific tumor markers associated with cancer with non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures is the most promising approach to improve the long-term survival of cancer patients and fight against the high incidence and mortality of this disease. Quantification of biomarkers at different stages of the disease can lead to an appropriate and instantaneous therapeutic action. In this context, the determination of biomarkers by electrochemical biosensors is at the forefront of cancer diagnosis research because of their unique features such as their versatility, fast response, accurate quantification, and amenability for multiplexing and miniaturization. In this review, after briefly discussing the relevant aspects and current challenges in the determination of colorectal tumor markers, it will critically summarize the development of electrochemical biosensors to date to this aim, highlighting the enormous potential of these devices to be incorporated into the clinical practice. Finally, it will focus on the remaining challenges and opportunities to bring electrochemical biosensors to the point-of-care testing.

The Clinical Significance of PPEF1 as a Promising Biomarker and Its Potential Mechanism in Breast Cancer.

BackgroundBreast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of malignancy death in females worldwide. While intense efforts have been made to elucidate the pathogeny, the molecular mechanism of BC remains elusive. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the role of PPEF1 in the progression of BC and further explore the better clinical significance.MethodsThe diagnostic and prognostic values of elevated PPEF1 expression in BC were unveiled via public databases analysis. In addition, Gene Ontology (GO), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and Protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to explore the potential functions and molecular mechanisms of PPEF1 in BC progression. Experimentally, transwell and CCK-8 assays were carried out to estimate the effects of PPEF1 on the BC metastasis. Meanwhile, the differential expressions of PPEF1 in paraffin-embedded tissues and serum samples were, respectively, analyzed by Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.ResultsThe transcriptional levels of PPEF1 were higher in BC than in normal breast tissues or adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, survival analysis revealed that higher PPEF1 expression was negatively associated with overall survival (OS), all events-free (AE-free) and metastatic recurrence-free (MR-free) survival, and further was an independent risk factor of unfavorable prognosis in BC patients. Additionally, the present study provided the first evidence that PPEF1 participated in multiple biological processes and underly signaling pathways involving in tumorigenesis and development of BC. Furthermore, PPEF1 promotes the BC progression and can be used as a noninvasive diagnostic marker. Noteworthy, the combined determination of serum PPEF1 and traditional tumor markers can enhance diagnostic accuracy thus is of vital importance in the early diagnosis of BC.ConclusionPPEF1 exerted a tumorigenic role and involved in molecular mechanism of tumorigenesis in BC which served as a promising biomarker for prognosis and diagnosis.

Facile fabrication of a controlled polymer brush-type functional nanoprobe for highly sensitive determination of alpha fetoprotein.

As robust functional polymers, polymer brush-based hybrid nanomaterials have potential application in the highly sensitive determination of tumor markers (TMs). Currently, there are plentiful reports on the polymerization methods of functional polymer brushes. Low ppm ATRP (activators (re)generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (A(R)GET ATRP), initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization (ICAR ATRP) and electrochemically mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (eATRP)) is a facile and robust methodology with the advantages of simplicity, eco-friendliness and wide applicability to prepare well-defined polymeric materials. In this work, a controlled polymer brush-type functional nanoprobe is successfully fabricated by functional AGET ATRP and used as a sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor for precise detection of TMs (alpha-fetoprotein, AFP). Using graphene oxide (GO) as an excellent conductive matrix, a GO-based poly-heterozygosis pyridine nanomaterial (GO@PHPY) is obtained by surface-initiated AGET ATRP and photocatalytic modification. The nanoprobe is assembled using GO@PHPY and a detection antibody (Ab2) to detect AFP, in which Cu(ii) serves as a signal label to coordinate with the pyridyl group. Under optimized conditions, the electrochemical sensor exhibits a good detection effect on AFP, with a detection range of 0.1 pg mL-1 to 100 ng mL-1 and a low detection limit of 0.08 pg mL-1. It is worth noting that the detection platform can be applied to the detection of real human serum samples. Thus, it is a desirable platform for AFP detection in clinical diagnosis and practical applications. Meanwhile, this work proves that designing and constructing functional polymer brushes is one of the most effective methods for developing new materials for analytical scientific applications.