Prognostic Significance of DR-70 Levels in Dysplastic Colorectal Polyps

Increased plasma DR-70 (fibrinogen-fibrin degradation products) concentrations as a diagnostic biomarker in dogs with neoplasms

BACKGROUND

Tumor biomarkers have used widely in clinical oncology in human medicine. Only a few studies have evaluated the clinical utility of tumor biomarkers for veterinary medicine. A test for fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (DR-70) has been proposed as an ideal biomarker for tumors in humans. The clinical value of DR-70 for veterinary medicine however has yet to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

Investigate the diagnostic value of DR-70 concentrations by comparing them between healthy dogs and dogs with tumors.

ANIMALS

Two hundred sixty-three dogs with different types of tumors were included. Sixty healthy dogs also were recruited for comparison.

METHODS

The DR-70 concentrations were measured in all recruited individuals by ELISA. Clinical conditions were categorized based on histopathology, cytology, ultrasound examination, radiology, clinical findings, and a combination of these tests.

RESULTS

The median concentration of DR-70 was 2.130 ± 0.868 μg/mL in dogs with tumors, which was significantly higher than in healthy dogs (1.202 ± 0.610 μg/mL; P < .0001). With a cut-off of 1.514 μg/mL, the sensitivity and specificity of DR-70 were 84.03% and 78.33%, respectively. The area under curve was 0.883. The DR-70 concentration can be an effective tumor biomarker in veterinary medicine.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Increased DR-70 concentrations were not affected by tumor type, sex, age, or body weight. However, in dogs with metastatic mast cell tumors and oral malignant melanoma, DR-70 concentrations were significantly increased. Additional studies, including more dogs with nonneoplastic diseases, are needed to further evaluate the usefulness of DR-70 as a tumor biomarker.

Serum AMDL DR-70 levels: a new concept in the diagnosis and follow-up of colorectal carcinoma

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic potential of DR-70 assay in patients with colorectal cancer and to investigate the relationship between serum DR-70 levels and the biological characteristic of the tumor. Patients & methods: The experimental group included patients who were diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma after biopsy specimen. The control group of this study consisted of patients whose total colonoscopy was reported as normal. Results: Serum levels of DR-70 was found to be significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer than healthy participants (p = 0.001). Receiver operating curve analyses indicated a cut-off value of 1.69 μg/ml for serum DR-70 levels. Stage of the disease, grade of the tumor, number of metastatic lymph nodes and microsatellite instability status were significantly related to serum DR-70 levels (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001 and p = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion: It can be concluded that serum levels of DR-70 can be regarded as an indicator for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

A novel method for screening colorectal cancer by infrared spectroscopy of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma

BACKGROUND

Early detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) can reduce mortality and morbidity. Current screening methods include colonoscopy and stool tests, but a simple low-cost blood test would increase compliance. This preliminary study assessed the utility of analyzing the entire bio-molecular profile of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for early detection of CRC.

METHODS

Blood samples were prospectively collected from 62 candidates for CRC screening/diagnostic colonoscopy or surgery for colonic neoplasia. PBMCs and plasma were separated by Ficoll gradient, dried on zinc selenide slides, and placed under a FTIR microscope. FTIR spectra were analyzed for biomarkers and classified by principal component and discriminant analyses. Findings were compared among diagnostic groups.

RESULTS

Significant changes in multiple bands that can serve as CRC biomarkers were observed in PBMCs (p = ~0.01) and plasma (p = ~0.0001) spectra. There were minor but statistically significant differences in both blood components between healthy individuals and patients with benign polyps. Following multivariate analysis, the healthy individuals could be well distinguished from patients with CRC, and the patients with benign polyps were mostly distributed as a distinct subgroup within the overlap region. Leave-one-out cross-validation for evaluating method performance yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.77, with sensitivity 81.5% and specificity 71.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Joint analysis of the biochemical profile of two blood components rather than a single biomarker is a promising strategy for early detection of CRC. Additional studies are required to validate our preliminary clinical results.