Correlations between serum trypsinogen-2 and pancreatic cancer

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Oncology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Pancreatic cancer (PC) and pancreatitis are significant health concerns.
• Early diagnosis of PC is crucial for improved patient outcomes.
• Serum trypsinogen-2 is a potential biomarker for pancreatic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between serum trypsinogen-2 levels and pancreatic cancer (PC) and pancreatitis.
• To determine diagnostic cutoff values for PC using serum trypsinogen-2.
• To evaluate serum trypsinogen-2 as a non-invasive screening tool for early PC detection.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were collected from 88 participants (23 PC patients, 30 pancreatitis patients, 35 healthy controls).
• Serum trypsinogen-2 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
• Statistical analyses, including ROC curve analysis, were performed to determine cutoff values and diagnostic accuracy.

Main Results:

• Serum trypsinogen-2 levels were significantly higher in both PC and pancreatitis patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001).
• Levels were significantly higher in pancreatitis patients than in PC patients (p = 0.01).
• Optimal cutoff values for PC detection were identified as 1.8 μg/L (sensitivity 95.7%, specificity 91.4%) and 19.9 μg/L (sensitivity 87.0%, specificity 97.1%). An AUC of 0.73 (p = 0.002) distinguished PC from pancreatitis.

Conclusions:

• Serum trypsinogen-2 is significantly associated with both PC and pancreatitis.
• Serum trypsinogen-2 levels between 1.8 μg/L and 19.9 μg/L are indicative of PC.
• Serum trypsinogen-2 shows promise as a simple, sensitive, and specific non-invasive biomarker for early PC screening.