title: Evaluation of serum laminin as a tumor marker in breast cancer.
abstract: Laminin is a noncollagenous constituent of the extracellular matrix (basement membrane). Increased serum concentrations were recorded in patients with a variety of cancers. The clinical usefulness of serum laminin as a marker for breast cancer was investigated in 60 female patients with malignant breast tumors (30 metastatic, 30 non-metastatic). Subjectively healthy age-matched women (n = 30) served as a control group. Laminin was significantly higher in breast cancer patients than in normal controls. Serum laminin levels were also significantly higher in patients with metastasis than in those without metastasis. A positive correlation was observed between serum laminin and the breast cancer-associated antigen CA 15-3 in the tumor patients. The sensitivity and specificity values of laminin for cancer detection at the optimum decision level [mean + 2 SD (1.4 U/ml)] were 75% and 97% respectively, with a 98% positive predictive value, 66% negative predictive value, and 82% diagnostic efficiency. For the detection of metastasis, serum laminin exhibited 77% sensitivity and 100% specificity [best decision level: mean + 2 SD (1.9 U/ml)], with a 100% positive predictive value, 81% negative predictive value, and 88% diagnostic efficiency. The latter specificity and positive predictive value were superior to those obtained with serum CA 15-3. These results suggest that serum determination of laminin could be a useful diagnostic tool in breast cancer and a valuable parameter in the prediction of metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sidhom
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imam
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000097:blood; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D007797:Laminin; D018396:Mucin-1