Elevated serum CA72-4 as a novel diagnostic biomarker for acute gout flares

While Glycoantigen 724 (CA72-4) is well-established as a tumor marker, its association with gout has yet to be fully explored. Our study aimed to investigate the expression levels of CA72-4 and other tumor markers at different stages of gout in patients and to assess any changes in their expression levels following treatment with colchicine. For this observational clinical study, participants with gout were recruited and divided into two groups: a gout-flare group and a gout-no-flare group. Additionally, healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. The clinical characteristics of the three groups were compared, and the ROC curve was used to compare the diagnostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and CA72-4 for gout flare. Gout flare is divided into two subgroups: a group receiving colchicine and a group receiving without colchicine; comparing the clinical characteristics of the two groups. Serum CA72-4 levels were significantly higher in gout flare compared to gout no flare and healthy controls (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference regarding other tumor markers (Glycoantigen 125 (CA12-5), Glycoantigen 199 (CA19-9), and Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)) among the various groups. Elevated levels of CA72-4 and CRP, BMI, and tophi were independent correlates of acute gout attacks (OR = 1.438, 95% CI: 1.240 ~ 1.668, P < 0.01; OR = 1.533, 95% CI: 1.282～1.834, P < 0.01; OR = 3.368, 95% CI: 1.229～9.230, P = 0.018; OR = 1.451, 95% CI: 1.020～2.064, P = 0.038). ROC curve analysis showed that CA72-4 had a higher area under the curve compared to CRP (AUC = 0.966, 95% CI: 0.944～0.981, P < 0.01; AUC = 0.900, 95% CI: 0.867～0.927, P < 0.01). However, serum CA72-4 levels were further elevated during gout flare in the group receiving colchicine (P < 0.01). During gout flare, serum CA72-4 levels were significantly elevated. Serum CA72-4 and CRP can be considered diagnostic serum markers for the acute phase of gout. Colchicine can cause further elevation of serum CA72-4 in gouty flares.