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Published on: November 10, 2023
Soluble CD157 in pleural effusions: a complementary tool for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma
Stefania Augeri1, Stefania Capano1, Simona Morone1
1Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, Torino 10126, Italy.
Background:
CD157/Bst1 glycoprotein is expressed in >85% of malignant pleural mesotheliomas and is a marker of enhanced tumor aggressiveness.
Results:
In vitro, mesothelial cells (malignant and non-malignant) released CD157 in soluble form or as an exosomal protein. In vivo, sCD157 is released and can be measured in pleural effusions by ELISA. Significantly higher levels of effusion sCD157 were detected in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma than in patients with non-mesothelioma tumors or with non-malignant conditions. In our patient cohort, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for sCD157 that discriminated malignant pleural mesothelioma from all other causes of pleural effusion was 0.685, cut-off (determined by the Youden Index) = 23.66 ng/ml (62.3% sensitivity; 73.93% specificity). Using a cut-off that yielded 95.58% specificity, measurement of sCD157 in cytology-negative effusions increased sensitivity of malignant pleural mesothelioma diagnosis from 34.42% to 49.18%.
Conclusions:
Evaluation of soluble CD157 in pleural effusions provides a diagnostic aid in malignant mesothelioma.
Methods:
Soluble CD157 (sCD157) was detected biochemically in culture supernatants of malignant and non-malignant mesothelial cells, and in pleural effusions from various pathological conditions. An ELISA system was established to measure the concentration of sCD157 in fluids, and extended to analyze sCD157 in pleural effusions from a cohort of 295 patients.
Insights
Soluble CD157 (sCD157) in pleural effusions can help diagnose malignant pleural mesothelioma. Higher sCD157 levels indicate the disease, aiding diagnosis when cytology is negative.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Pulmonology
Background:
- CD157/Bst1 glycoprotein is highly expressed in malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- CD157 expression correlates with increased tumor aggressiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic utility of soluble CD157 (sCD157) in pleural effusions for malignant pleural mesothelioma.
- To establish and validate an ELISA method for sCD157 measurement.
Main Methods:
- Detected sCD157 in cell culture supernatants and pleural effusions.
- Developed an ELISA to quantify sCD157 concentrations.
- Analyzed sCD157 levels in pleural effusions from 295 patients.
Main Results:
- Mesothelial cells release sCD157 in soluble and exosomal forms.
- Significantly elevated sCD157 levels were found in malignant pleural mesothelioma effusions compared to other conditions.
- sCD157 demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.685) and improved sensitivity in cytology-negative cases when combined with high specificity.
Conclusions:
- Soluble CD157 in pleural effusions serves as a valuable diagnostic aid for malignant mesothelioma.
- sCD157 measurement can enhance diagnostic sensitivity, particularly in challenging cases.
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