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Serum M30 levels are associated with survival in advanced gastric carcinoma patients
Emel Yaman1, Ugur Coskun, Banu Sancak
1Mersin State Hospital, Medical Oncology Department, Mersin, Turkey.
Background:
Cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) is a cytoskeleton protein of epithelial cells which are released into the circulation during necrotic or apoptotic cell death. M30 detects caspase-cleaved neo-epitope of CK-18; whereas M 65 measures whole length intact protein. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of serum M65 and M30 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma.
Methods:
Thirty eight patients with advanced disease were included in the study. Thirty-two healthy people were chosen as control group. Serum M65 and M30 levels were measured by quantitative ELISA method.
Results:
Serum M65 levels were found significantly elevated in patients compared to control group (385.7+/-280.6 vs. 200.2+/-164.5, p=0.002). Serum M30 levels were significantly increased in patients compared to the control group (204.6+/-245 vs. 106.5+/-17.5, p=0.03). Patients with metastatic disease had significantly higher levels of serum M30 compared to patients with locally advanced disease (267.1+/-296.1 vs. 102.3+/-53.2, p=0.03). Serum M30 and M65 levels were evaluated in respect to survival. Best cut-off value for the prediction of death for M30 antigen level was 83.8U/L. Patients with higher M30 levels had significantly shorter median survival compared to patients' lower serum M30 levels. However, there was no impact of serum M65 levels on survival. Serum M30 levels and clinical stage were found as the strongest variables with independent prognostic value for overall survival.
Discussion:
These results suggest that serum M65 and M30 levels were elevated in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma patients. Serum M30 levels can be helpful to predict tumor load and also survival.
Insights
Serum M30 levels, a marker for cell death, are elevated in gastric cancer patients and can predict survival. Serum M65 levels were also elevated but did not impact survival outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomarkers
- Cell Death Mechanisms
Background:
- Cytokeratin 18 (CK-18) is a key cytoskeleton protein released during cell death.
- M30 assays detect caspase-cleaved CK-18, while M65 assays measure intact CK-18.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic value of serum M65 and M30 levels in gastric carcinoma patients.
- To assess the relationship between these biomarkers and disease progression or survival.
Main Methods:
- Serum M65 and M30 levels were quantified using ELISA in 38 advanced gastric carcinoma patients and 32 healthy controls.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare levels between groups and correlate with survival.
Main Results:
- Both serum M65 and M30 levels were significantly elevated in gastric cancer patients compared to controls.
- Higher serum M30 levels correlated with metastatic disease and shorter overall survival.
- Serum M30 and clinical stage were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival.
Conclusions:
- Elevated serum M65 and M30 levels indicate advanced gastric carcinoma.
- Serum M30 is a valuable biomarker for predicting tumor burden and patient survival in gastric cancer.