Plasma YKL-40: a potential new cancer biomarker?
YKL-40, a 40-kDa secreted glycoprotein, with its gene located on chromosome 1q32.1, is produced by cancer cells and inflammatory cells and has a role in inflammation, cell proliferation, differentiation, protection against apoptosis, stimulation of angiogenesis and regulation of extracellular tissue remodeling. Plasma levels of YKL-40 are elevated in a subgroup of patients with primary or advanced cancer compared with age-matched healthy subjects, but also in patients with many different diseases characterized by inflammation. Elevated plasma YKL-40 levels are an independent prognostic biomarker of short survival. There is still insufficient evidence to support its value outside of clinical trials as a screening tool, prognosticator of survival, predictor of treatment response and as a monitoring tool in the routine management of individual patients with cancer or diseases characterized by inflammation. Large prospective, longitudinal clinical cancer studies are needed to determine if plasma YKL-40 is a new cancer biomarker, or is mainly a biomarker of inflammation.
Department of Medicine O, Herlev Hospital, Herlev Ringvej 75, DK-2730, Herlev, Denmark. Julia.johansen@post3.tele.dk
Julia S
JS
Johansen
Nicolai A
NA
Schultz
Benny V
BV
Jensen
D054392:Adipokines; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000097:blood*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis
D054392:Adipokines; D001324:Autoantigens; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C084533:CHI3L1 protein, human; D000071451:Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006133:Growth Substances; D037102:Lectins