Serum markers as predictors of esophageal squamous dysplasia and early cancer

Anticancer Res. 2004 Sep-Oct;24(5B):3245-9.

Abstract

Background: Squamous dysplasia is the precursor lesion for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A primary screening test for ESCC which identified this lesion could lead to a reduction in disease-specific mortality.

Materials and methods: We conducted a population-based screening study in Linzhou, China. All subjects provided blood samples and underwent endoscopy with Lugol's iodine staining and biopsy. We selected a subset of 84 subjects stratified on worst squamous histologic diagnosis in six categories and measured the serum concentrations of potential markers using commercially available ELISA tests for matrix metalloprotease-9, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease-1, copper/zinc superoxide dismutase, anti-p53 auto-antibodies, and soluble serum interleukin-2 receptor.

Results: Serum matrix metalloprotease-9 concentration was significantly different by esophageal squamous dysplasia status with a median (interquartile range) for subjects without dysplasia of 150 ng/ml (80-225) and subjects with dysplasia/early cancer of 97 ng/ml (58-155), p=0.033), but the maximum sensitivity and specificity were low. The serum concentrations of the other markers tested showed no significant differences by category of worst histologic diagnosis.

Conclusion: Serum matrix metalloprotease-9 concentration could contribute to a primary screening test for an ESCC, but is insufficient alone.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Blood Proteins / analysis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / blood*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / blood*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Precancerous Conditions / blood*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2 / blood
  • Superoxide Dismutase / blood
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / blood
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / immunology

Substances

  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Blood Proteins
  • Receptors, Interleukin-2
  • Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 9