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Tenascin-C in serum: a questionable tumor marker
International Journal of Cancer
|May 16, 1995
Summary
Tenascin-C (TN-C) is elevated in some cancers but also in inflammation. This study found TN-C levels correlate with C-reactive protein (CRP), suggesting TN-C may not be a reliable tumor marker due to inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Tenascin-C (TN-C) is typically low in adult tissues but upregulated in tumors and inflammatory conditions.
- Investigating TN-C's diagnostic potential as a tumor marker requires understanding its behavior in various pathological states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic significance of serum tenascin-C (TN-C) levels.
- To determine the predominant TN-C variants in circulation.
- To assess the correlation between serum TN-C and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
Main Methods:
- Development of a sensitive sandwich ELISA for quantifying serum TN-C.
- Analysis of serum TN-C variants.
- Measurement of serum TN-C in healthy individuals, cancer patients, and patients with elevated CRP.
Main Results:
- Large TN-C isoforms were found to be predominant in serum.
- Elevated serum TN-C levels were observed in cancer patients.
- Serum TN-C levels showed a stronger increase and correlation with elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker for inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Serum tenascin-C (TN-C) levels can be elevated due to inflammation, indicated by high C-reactive protein (CRP).
- The diagnostic value of TN-C as a specific tumor marker is questionable given its association with inflammatory processes.