Clinical utility of serum amyloid A and macrophage migration inhibitory factor as serum biomarkers for the detection of nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Early lung carcinoma detection strategies involving imaging studies have yet to demonstrate a reduction in mortality. Identification of serum biomarkers that could complement radiologic studies and facilitate earlier diagnosis of lung carcinoma would be of significant benefit to patients. In the current pilot study, the authors evaluated two overexpressed proteins in lung carcinoma, serum amyloid A (SAA) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), as potential diagnostic serum biomarkers for this malignancy.


METHODS
Serum levels of SAA and MIF were measured in 50 patients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the markers in detecting lung carcinoma were determined.


RESULTS
SAA levels in patients with lung carcinoma were greater than in the control patients (P = 0.07). Serum SAA levels did not exhibit a correlation with tumor size or clinical stage and were higher in patients with squamous cell carcinoma than in patients with other histologic disease types. MIF was unable to differentiate patients with lung carcinoma from patients with other diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
SAA possesses potential utility as a serum biomarker for lung carcinoma, probably in conjunction with other serum markers that improve its diagnostic accuracy. Before a larger study is performed, the discovery of additional biomarkers to enhance the specificity of SAA in the diagnosis of lung carcinoma is recommended.
Khan
Nayela
N
Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA.
Cromer
Charles J
CJ
Campa
Michael
M
Patz
Edward F
EF
D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000032:analysis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein