Exploratory Evaluation of Neopterin and Chitotriosidase as Potential Circulating Biomarkers for Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Chronic inflammation is demonstrated to play a direct role in carcinogenesis. Our exploratory study aimed to assess the potential added value of two inflammation biomarkers, chitotriosidase and neopterin, in follow-up evaluation of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). An observational exploratory study was conducted. Patients with CRC and matched controls (1:1, age, sex, and living environment) were evaluated. The patients with CRC (CRC group) and controls were assessed at baseline (before surgical intervention for patients with CRC). Patients with CRC were also evaluated at 1-year follow-up. Significantly more patients with blood group A (54.5% vs. 25.0%) and smokers (50.0% vs. 22.7%) were in the CRC group. The serum values of chitotriosidase and neopterin were higher in CRC patients than in controls, but only neopterin reached the conventional level of statistical significance (p-value = 0.015). The circulating chitotriosidase and neopterin values decreased significantly at 1-year follow-up (p-value < 0.0001). Patients with higher N- and M-stage showed statistically significant higher levels of chitotriosidase and neopterin at baseline and 1-year follow-up (p-values < 0.03). Circulating chitotriosidase levels also showed statistically significant differences regarding baseline and 1-year follow-up on patients with CRC and different differentiation grades (p-values < 0.02). The circulating levels of neopterin significantly decreased at 1-year follow-up, indicating its potential as a prognostic marker. The circulating values of chitotriosidase and neopterin exhibit significant differences in patients with than without recurrences. Our results support further evaluation of chitotriosidase and neopterin as prognostic markers in patients with CRC.

Neopterin, the Cell-Mediated Immune Response Biomarker, in Inflammatory Periodontal Diseases: A Narrative Review of a More than Fifty Years Old Biomarker

“…Ciocan et al [111] Colorectal carcinoma Np levels in oral fluid were increased in subjects with squamous cell carcinoma in oral cavity.…”

“…Tumour-promoting inflammatory response is currently recognised as an essential feature of cancer [110]. Np was also reported to be a malignant tumour biomarker, such as for colorectal cancer [111], squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck [11,112,113], melanoma [114], hematologic neoplasms [115], genitourinary tract malignancies [116], and pancreatic cancer [117]. Np was reported to be a risk factor for an increased risk of overall cancer, suggesting a role of IFN-γ-induced inflammation in human carcinogenesis [118].…”

On–Off Ratiometric Fluorescence Europium(III) Metal–Organic Framework for Quantitative Detection of the Inflammatory Marker Neopterin

“…As an inevitable metabolite of guanosine triphosphage (GTP) catalyzed by the enzyme GTP-cyclohydrolase-I in the biological process of human, neopterin (Neo) is a significant low-molecular-weight pteridine derivative compound, secreted by the monocyte-macrophages under the stimulation of interferon gamma produced by the activated T cells . It is well known that Neo has been confirmed to be a significant specific biomarker for the measurement of the cellular immune response activity and clinical studies indicate the increasing concentrations of Neo are associated with some relevant disease activity and impaired prognosis of the subsequent treatments such as organ transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, viral infections, inflammatory deficiencies, and malignant tumor. , Moreover, Neo demonstrates superior biological stability and could facilitate the measurements in the serum and urine. As a result, readily available evaluation of the Neo level along with a quantitative analysis in biological systems is desirable.…”

Identification of a Twelve-microRNA Signature with Prognostic Value in Stage II Microsatellite Stable Colon Cancer

“…Clinical and pathological risk factors, such as the size and location of the tumor, are used to identify patients at high risk of recurrence, but they are not always reliable. As a result, there has been growing interest in the use of biomarkers to improve the accuracy of prognostic and predictive testing for CRC patients [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. However, these approaches are limited by small populations or accuracy [ 9 , 10 ].…”