Association of Serum Proteases and Acute Phase Factors Levels with Survival Outcomes in Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Tadeusz Sebzda ¹, Jakub Karwacki ^1,2, Anna Cichoń ³

⁰Department of Pathophysiology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-368 Wroclaw, Poland.

Cancers +

|

July 13, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Cathepsin B (CB), leukocytic elastase (LE), and total sialic acid (TSA) serum levels show promise in predicting colorectal cancer (CRC) survival. These biomarkers may aid in early CRC diagnosis and treatment planning.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Biochemistry
Clinical Diagnostics

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health challenge with high incidence and mortality.
Early detection and effective treatment strategies are crucial, yet neoplastic invasion and metastasis complicate outcomes.
Understanding the mechanisms of CRC progression and identifying prognostic markers are essential for improving patient survival.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the prognostic value of serum biomarkers, including cathepsin B (CB), leukocytic elastase (LE), total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-associated sialic acid (LASA), antitrypsin activity (ATA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and cystatin C (CC), in predicting survival outcomes for colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.
To identify potential diagnostic markers that can aid in early detection and treatment planning for CRC.

Main Methods

A cohort of 185 CRC patients and 35 healthy controls were analyzed for demographic variables, tumor characteristics, and seven serum biomarker levels.
Statistical analyses included ANOVA, MANOVA, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman's rank correlation.
Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank tests, and multivariate analysis was conducted to assess independent prognostic factors.

Main Results

Significant associations were found between serum levels of cathepsin B (CB) (p=0.04), leukocytic elastase (LE) (p=0.01), and total sialic acid (TSA) (p=0.008) and colorectal cancer patient survival.
Dukes' classification stages also significantly correlated with survival (p=0.001).
Multivariate analysis indicated a notable correlation between LE, TSA, and ATA with survival (p=0.041), while LASA, CRP, and CC showed no significant associations in univariate or multivariate analyses.

Conclusions

Serum CB, LE, and TSA levels demonstrate potential as prognostic markers for colorectal cancer (CRC) survival.
These biomarkers may contribute to improved early diagnosis and personalized treatment strategies for CRC patients.
Further validation studies are recommended to confirm these findings and explore additional prognostic indicators in CRC.

Keywords:

C-reactive protein acute phase factors cathepsin B colorectal cancer leukocytic elastase sialic acid survival analysis

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