Plasma Osteopontin Is a Useful Diagnostic Biomarker for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

BackgroundOsteopontin (OPN) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), which are expressed on the surface of tumor cells, are associated with hypoxia during tumor development and progression. However, the roles of these proteins in the plasma of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are poorly understood. Herein, we hypothesized that plasma OPN and CAIX levels could be used as diagnostic and prognostic tumor markers in patients with NSCLC.MethodsFifty-three patients with NSCLC and 50 healthy control subjects were enrolled. We selected controls without malignancy and matched them with NSCLC patient cases according to age and gender. Blood samples were collected at the time of diagnosis; the plasma levels of OPN and CAIX were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.ResultsThe plasma levels of OPN in the patients with NSCLC were significantly elevated as compared to those in the controls (p=0.016). However, there was no difference in the plasma level of CAIX between the NSCLC patients and controls. NSCLC patients with a distant metastasis had a remarkable increase in plasma OPN compared with patients without metastasis (p=0.026), but no such correlation was found for CAIX. There was no difference in overall survival rates according to the plasma level of OPN between the two groups (by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis).ConclusionPlasma OPN levels were elevated in patients with NSCLC as compared with the controls, with greater elevation of OPN levels in the advanced stages of disease. Therefore, plasma OPN may have utility as a diagnostic, but not prognostic, biomarker of advanced NSCLC.

Role of osteopontin in the pathophysiology of cancer

“…High expression of OPN in these tumors was associated with poor patient outcome and it was a strong, independent prognostic factor for both relapse free and overall survival (Rud et al, 2013). OPN plasma levels in the patients with NSCLC are significantly elevated as compared to those in the controls (Han et al, 2013). In adult soft tissue sarcomas, OPN may have potential as a prognostic marker (Bramwell et al, 2005).…”

Serum osteopontin in patients with lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: does the co-existence make the difference?

“…Osteopontin (OPN) is a matricellular protein involved in tissue remodeling, cell-mediated immunity and malignant transformation. OPN, that is produced by osteoclasts, macrophages, T cells, kidney cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells, regulates normal physiological processes, including bone resorption, wound healing, tissue remodeling, immunological responses and vascularization, as well as various pathophysiological conditions (4).…”

The association between osteopontin and survival in non-small-cell lung cancer patients: a meta-analysis of 13 cohorts

“…Four studies were performed in People’s Republic of China, 17 , 20 , 22 , 25 two in Japan, 12 , 13 two in America, 10 , 21 one in Norway, 19 one in England, 18 one in Italy, 7 one in Germany, 24 and one in Korea. 23 The sample size of each study varied from 25 to 244. Seven studies used IHC, five used ELISA, and one used PCR.…”