Herszenyi L et al. – At the time of clinical detection proteases are more sensitive indicators for colorectal cancer than the commonly used tumor markers; determinations of cathepsin B and L (CATB, CATL) and PAI-1, the inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), have a major prognostic impact in colorectal cancer pts Methods
Study of tumor marker utility and prognostic relevance of CATB, CATL, uPA, and PAI-1 in the same experimental setting; comparison with that of CEA and CA-19-9
Determination of protease, CEA and CA 19-9 serum or plasma levels in 56 pts with colorectal cancer, 25 pts with ulcerative colitis, 26 pts with colorectal adenomas, and 35 tumor-free control pts
ELISA and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay to determine protease, CEA, CA 19-9 levels
Sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy calculated and correlated with clinicopathological staging
Results
Protease antigen levels significantly higher in colorectal cancer vs other groups
Sensitivity of PAI-1 (94%), CATB (82%), uPA (69%), CATL (41%) were higher than those of CEA (30%) or CA 19-9 (18%)
Better accuracy with PAI-1, CATB, and uPA vs CEA or CA 19-9
Highest sensitivity value: combination PAI-1 with CATB or uPA (98%)
High CATB, PAI-1, CEA and CA 19-9 levels correlated with advanced Dukes stages
CATB, CATL, PAI-1, and CA 19-9 had a significant prognostic impact
PAI-1, CATB, and CA 19-9 were independent prognostic variables
See all
