Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (Fgf21) as Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Renal Cancer

Abstract

Background The finding of new biomarkers is needed to have a better sub-classification of primary renal tumors (RCC) as well as more reliable predictors of outcome and therapy response. In this study, we evaluated the role of circulating FGF21, an endocrine factor, as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for ccRCC. Materials and Methods Serum samples from healthy controls (HC), clear cell and chromophobe RCC cancer patients were obtained from the serum biobank “Biobanco Público de Muestras Séricas Oncológicas” (BPMSO) of the “Instituto de Oncología “Ángel H. Roffo”. Serum FGF21 and leptin were measured by ELISA while other metabolic markers were measured following routinely clinical procedures. Results One of our major findings was that FGF21 levels were significantly increased in ccRCC patients compared with HC. Moreover, we showed an association between the increased serum FGF21 levels and the shorter disease free survival in a cohort of 98 ccRCC patients, after adjustment for other predictors of outcome. Conclusion Our results suggest that higher FGF21 serum level is an independent prognostic biomarker, associated with worse free-disease survival.

Association between Circulating Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Aggressiveness in Thyroid Cancer

“…Several studies have reported increased serum levels of FGF21 in various human cancers, including clear cell renal cell carcinoma and breast cancer [47,48]. Although previous studies have suggested that FGF21 levels are a promising predictive biomarker for tumor progression, no previous study has identified the mechanism underlying the effects of FGF21 on tumor progression in extrahepatic tissues.…”

The Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, and Colorectal Cancer Risk: An Evaluation of Large Panels of Plasma Protein Markers Using Repeated, Prediagnostic Samples

“…It has been shown to increase in patients with T2DM [ 21 ]. More recently, the possibility of using FGF-21 as a prognostic or diagnostic cancer marker has been raised and evaluated for renal cancer, with promising results [ 22 ]. To the best of our knowledge, FGF-21 has not previously been evaluated as a biomarker for CRC risk.…”

Fibroblast growth factor 21: a regulator of metabolic disease and health span

“…In concordance, FGF21 expression in the mesangial cells of the kidneys in diabetic mice was elevated 20-fold relative to that in control mice (49). Additionally, FGF21 levels have been reported to be increased in patients with clear cell primary renal tumors, with E296 FGF21 IN METABOLIC DISEASE AND HEALTH SPAN greater serum FGF21 levels being associated with shorter disease-free survival (46).…”

“…Meanwhile, baseline serum FGF21 levels were found to be significantly higher in both obese and T2DM patients, relative to healthy subjects, with FGF21 mRNA expression in visceral fat in obese subjects being double that in healthy group subjects (62). In addition, serum FGF21 levels were found to associate strongly with age, insulin resistance, and adverse lipid profiles (46). Chen et al also confirmed that fasting FGF21 levels were significantly increased in patients with T2DM compared with healthy controls (10).…”