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Squamous cell carcinoma antigen‐immunoglobulin M complexes as novel biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma
Author(s) -
Beneduce Luca,
Castaldi Francesco,
Marino Maria,
Quarta Santina,
Ruvoletto Mariagrazia,
Benvegnù Luisa,
Calabrese Fiorella,
Gatta Angelo,
Pontisso Patrizia,
Fassina Giorgio
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.21106
Subject(s) - medicine , hepatocellular carcinoma , cirrhosis , gastroenterology , antibody , antigen , carcinoma , hepatitis b , chronic hepatitis , immunology , virus
Abstract BACKGROUND Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common and deadly tumors worldwide, still is difficult due to the lack of adequate biomarkers that show high sensitivity and specificity. The authors recently demonstrated that squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) variants were overexpressed remarkably in all surgically resected HCCs. METHODS For the current study, the authors assessed the presence of SCCA, as a free form and complexed with immunoglobulins, in serum from patients with HCC, cirrhosis, and chronic hepatitis and from healthy control participants and compared SCCA measurement with the measurement of α‐fetoprotein (AFP) levels. RESULTS Circulating immune complexes (ICs) composed by SCCA and immunoglobulin M (IgM) IC (SCCA‐IgM IC) were undetectable (< 120 arbitrary units [AU]/mL) in serum from a healthy control population (0 of 73 controls); however, 35 of 50 patients with HCC (70%) were reactive for SCCA‐IgM IC independent of etiology (mean ± standard deviation [SD], 2568.5 ± 6797.3 AU/mL). No correlation was found with AFP levels, which were elevated significantly in only 21 of 50 patients with HCC (42%). By using an AFP cut‐off value of 20 ng/mL, 96% of patients with HCC were positive for at least 1 marker. Among cirrhotic patients, the presence of circulating SCCA‐IgM IC was displayed in 13 of 50 patients (26%), but at lower levels compared with the patients who had HCC (mean ± SD, 147.5 ± 348.3 AU/mL; P < 0.01; Student t test), whereas 9 of 50 patients with chronic hepatitis (18%) were reactive (mean ± SD, 39.5 ± 89.7 AU/mL). No significant presence of free SCCA, free anti‐SCCA variants IgG or IgM, or SCCA‐IgG IC was found. CONCLUSIONS The study results indicated that SCCA‐IgM ICs represent novel serologic biomarkers, which, alone or in combination with AFP, can increase the sensitivity for diagnosing HCC significantly. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.