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Exosomal miRNA Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer NSCLC Patients' Plasma Through qPCR: A Feasible Liquid Biopsy Tool
Published on: May 27, 2016
Simultaneous Investigation of sST2, IL-33, and Caspase-3 Serum Levels in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Fatma Tuba Akdeniz1, Zerrin Barut2, Orçun Avşar3
1Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Istanbul Okan University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Background/Aim:
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a type of lung cancer with a high mortality rate. Many molecular and biochemical mechanisms are involved in its development, among which the suppression of tumorigenicity-2 protein (ST2) signaling pathway. Soluble ST2 (sST2) competes with transmembrane ST2 (ST2 ligand) for IL-33 binding. Activation of IL-33/ST2 pathway leads to M2 macrophage polarization, which promotes tumor progression. Since Caspase-3 is implicated in the regulation of IL-33 activity, the present study aimed to analyze the serum levels of IL-33, sST2, and caspase-3 in non-small cell lung cancer patients, compare them with control samples, and simultaneously investigate their predictive capacity.
Materials And Methods:
In this study, sST2 protein, IL-33, and caspase-3 levels were investigated using the ELISA method in serum samples collected from 25 patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer and 25 completely healthy volunteer individuals. In the study, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic power of the biomarkers.
Results:
Serum IL-33 levels were found to be significantly elevated in patients compared to the control group (p<0.0001). Similarly, the patient group showed significantly higher caspase-3 serum levels than the control group (p<0.030). While sST2 serum levels were higher in the patient group, the difference did not reach statistical significance. The ROC analysis for IL-33 showed an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.838 [95% confidence interval (CI)=0.725-0.952, p<0.05], indicating that IL-33 is good diagnostic capability for NSCLC. The AUC value for Caspase-3 was 0.678 (95% CI=0.525-0.832, p=0.023), while for sST2, the AUC value was 0.499 (95% CI=0.333-0.665, p>0.05).
Conclusion:
NSCLC patients are characterized by increased IL-33 and caspase-3 serum levels. These findings suggest that these markers could serve as valuable diagnostic and prognostic indicators, in addition to being potential therapeutic targets.
Insights
Elevated serum levels of interleukin-33 (IL-33) and caspase-3 were observed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. These biomarkers show potential for diagnosing NSCLC and may offer therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a high mortality rate, with complex molecular mechanisms driving its development.
- The interleukin-33 (IL-33)/suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (ST2) pathway, involving soluble ST2 (sST2), influences M2 macrophage polarization and tumor progression.
- Caspase-3 plays a role in regulating IL-33 activity, suggesting its involvement in NSCLC pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze and compare serum levels of IL-33, sST2, and caspase-3 in NSCLC patients versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the diagnostic and predictive capacity of these biomarkers in NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 25 NSCLC patients and 25 healthy controls were analyzed using ELISA for IL-33, sST2, and caspase-3.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to assess the diagnostic power of the identified biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Serum IL-33 levels were significantly elevated in NSCLC patients (p<0.0001).
- Caspase-3 serum levels were also significantly higher in the patient group (p<0.030).
- IL-33 demonstrated good diagnostic capability for NSCLC with an AUC of 0.838, while caspase-3 had an AUC of 0.678, and sST2 showed no significant diagnostic value (AUC=0.499).
Conclusions:
- NSCLC patients exhibit increased serum levels of IL-33 and caspase-3.
- These markers hold promise as diagnostic and prognostic indicators for NSCLC.
- IL-33 and caspase-3 may represent potential therapeutic targets for NSCLC treatment.
