The presence of the proteolysis-inducing factor in urine does not predict the malignancy of a pancreatic tumour.
BACKGROUND
The proteolysis-inducing factor (PIF) was identified as a tumour product in various gastrointestinal cancers. A previous study in pancreatic cancer patients suggested PIF expression as a tumour marker, which is not related to tumour size. We hypothesized that PIF could be a useful marker to exclude benign pancreatic tumors, as chronic pancreatitis with a pancreatic mass.


METHODS
Urine of patients with a pancreatic mass of uncertain malignancy was investigated for PIF expression by Western blot. Sufficient urine protein for analysis was available in 59 patients. The diagnosis was established by histology in 54 patients and by follow up in five patients with chronic pancreatitis. In addition, serum CA19-9 was measured.


RESULTS
The sensitivity (specifity) for the detection of a malignant pancreatic tumour was 90% (75%) and 54% (71%) for CA19-9 and PIF, respectively. The sensitivity (specifity) for the distinction of pancreatic cancer from chronic pancreatitis was 89% (80%) and 57% (63%) for CA19-9 and PIF, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of PIF in urine is of no diagnostic value in patients with a pancreatic mass of unknown malignancy.
Teich
Niels
N
Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik II, Leipzig, Germany. niels.teich@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
Kleeff
Jörg
J
Lochs
Herbert
H
Mössner
Joachim
J
Keim
Volker
V
Friess
Helmut
H
Ockenga
Johann
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000652:urine*; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology* / Q000652:urine*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000652:urine*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011509:Proteoglycans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001798:Blood Proteins; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D011509:Proteoglycans; C042057:proteolysis-inducing peptide