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Lacryglobin in human tears, a potential marker for cancer
V Evans1, C Vockler, M Friedlander
1Cooperative Research Centre for Eye Research and Technology, School of Optometry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. v.evans@cclru.unsw.edu.au
Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology
|July 12, 2001
Summary
Lacryglobin, a protein found in tears, shows potential as a cancer screening marker. Its presence varied across different cancer types and control groups, warranting further investigation for early cancer detection.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Lacryglobin identified in human tears.
- Lacryglobin shares sequence homology with mammaglobins, proteins linked to breast cancer.
- Mammaglobins are upregulated in breast cancer and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the utility of tear screening for cancer detection.
- Assess lacryglobin presence in tears from cancer patients and controls.
- Evaluate lacryglobin as a potential non-invasive cancer biomarker.
Main Methods:
- Tear samples collected from patients with breast, lung, colon, prostate, and ovary cancers, plus healthy controls.
- Analysis of tear samples using 2-D gel electrophoresis (n=25) and 1-D electrophoresis (n=3).
- Quantification of lacryglobin presence across different patient groups.
Main Results:
- Lacryglobin detected in high percentages of breast (88%), lung (83%), colon (100%), and prostate (100%) cancer patients.
- Lower detection rates in ovary cancer (33%) and controls (60%).
- Two control patients with lacryglobin had a family history of breast and prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
- Lacryglobin is detectable in tears of cancer patients and controls.
- Presence of lacryglobin in tears suggests potential as a cancer marker.
- Further research is needed to validate lacryglobin's role in cancer screening.