S-100beta protein--serum levels in children with brain neoplasms and its potential as a tumor marker.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if serum S-100beta levels are elevated in children with brain neoplasms and if it can be used as a tumor marker for children with brain neoplasms.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Urban, tertiary care, children's teaching hospital.


METHODS
136 healthy children and 27 children with brain neoplasms.


METHODS
Serum levels of S-100beta were measured in 136 healthy children to serve as controls and 27 children with brain neoplasms, who underwent biopsy or resection of the mass. Patients were then classified into astrocytoma or non-astrocytoma groups.


RESULTS
The median serum S-100beta level for the control group was 0.27 mcg/l (range, 0.06-2.6 mcg/l), and for the brain neoplasm group was 0.2 mcg/l (range, 0.01-2.1 mcg/l), (p = 0.09). There were 13 children with astrocytomas and 14 with non-astrocytomas. The S-100beta levels for the astrocytoma group was 0.25 mcg/l (range, 0.05-1.1 mcg/l) and for the non-astrocytoma group 0.17 mcg/l (range, 0.01-2.1 mcg/l), (p = 0.47).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum S-100beta levels are not elevated in children with brain neoplasms compared to healthy children, nor are they elevated in children with astrocytomas compared to non-astrocytomas. The S-100beta protein does not appear to be useful as a serum tumor marker in children with brain neoplasms.
Rajendra
Anil
A
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Spinella
Philip C
PC
Drott
Henry R
HR
Dominguez
Troy E
TE
Sutton
Leslie
L
Helfaer
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001254:Astrocytoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D011446:Prospective Studies; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins