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Increased midkine serum levels in pediatric embryonal tumor patients
Susanne Lucas1, Tobias Reindl, Günter Henze
1Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Serum levels of midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor, are elevated in adult cancer patients. We analyzed sera of pediatric tumor patients in comparison to a large number of children and adolescents without malignant disease. MK was studied in sera of 152 noncancer patients and 29 embryonal tumor patients (14 nephroblastoma, 10 neuroblastoma, and 5 rhabdomyosarcoma) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Noncancer patients underwent elective surgical procedures or suffered from an endocrinologic disease. They had no evidence of inflammation or injury. MK serum levels were significantly higher in tumor patients (median 0.621 ng/mL) than in noncancer patients. About 86% of tumor patients were identified using a cut-off value of 0.176 ng/mL. MK values did neither correlate with tumor size nor with stage or histology, but decreased in half of the nephroblastoma patients after chemotherapy and surgery. MK values were found to be elevated in only 2 out of 5 rhabdomyosarcoma patients. MK may serve as an additional marker for the detection of pediatric embryonal tumors, but its clinical relevance for the evaluation of response to therapy needs further study.
Insights
Serum midkine (MK) levels are significantly higher in pediatric embryonal tumor patients compared to healthy children. MK shows potential as a biomarker for detecting these childhood cancers, though its therapeutic monitoring role requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor, is known to be elevated in adult cancer patients.
- Its role in pediatric malignancies remains less understood.
- Understanding MK's role in pediatric cancers can aid in diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum midkine (MK) levels in pediatric embryonal tumor patients.
- To compare MK levels between pediatric tumor patients and noncancerous children and adolescents.
- To assess the potential of MK as a diagnostic marker for pediatric embryonal tumors.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 152 noncancer patients and 29 pediatric embryonal tumor patients (nephroblastoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma) were analyzed.
- An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify MK levels.
- MK levels were compared between groups and correlated with clinical parameters.
Main Results:
- Tumor patients exhibited significantly higher median serum MK levels (0.621 ng/mL) than noncancer patients.
- A cutoff value of 0.176 ng/mL identified approximately 86% of tumor patients.
- MK levels did not correlate with tumor size, stage, or histology, but decreased post-treatment in some nephroblastoma cases.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum MK levels may serve as an additional marker for detecting pediatric embryonal tumors.
- Further research is needed to establish the clinical relevance of MK for evaluating treatment response.
- MK shows promise as a diagnostic biomarker in pediatric oncology.
