Role of DR-70 immunoassay in suspected malignant pleural effusion

Abstract

Context:A good proportion of patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion (PE) turn into malignancy over a period of time. Identification of positive biomarker may help in selecting the individuals who require close follow-up.Aims:The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of DR-70 immunoassay in suspected malignant PE.Settings and Design:We conducted a cross-sectional study among 89 patients of suspected malignant PE and 50 normal subjects (NS) were taken as control.Materials and Methods:Patients with exudative PE; who had pleural fluid lymphocyte count greater than 50% and adenosine deaminase less than 30 U/L were taken as cases. We had selected NSs among relatives of patients having normal blood chemistry and radiological investigations. Sensitivity and specificity of the test to differentiate malignant and non-malignant PE and also to identify PE with underlying malignancy was analyzed.Results:Mean value of DR-70 in NS was found to be 0.83 ± 0.273 mg/L without any significant difference between males (0.82 mg/L) and females (0.85 mg/L). Mean value of DR-70 in PE with underlying cancer was 5.03 ± 3.79 mg/L. Sensitivity (80%) and specificity (77.78%) of the test was maximum in PE with underlying cancer using cut-off value of 2 mg/L. Mean value DR-70 in malignant PE was 5.18 ± 3.75 mg/L and in non-malignant PE was 3.73 ± 3.74 mg/L without any statistically significant difference (P = 0.08).Conclusions:DR-70 assay has high sensitivity in detecting underlying lung cancer, but has no role in differentiating malignant PE from non-malignant PE.

The sensitivity and specifity of DR-70 immunoassay as a tumor marker for non-small cell lung cancer

“…In this sense, a positive correlation has been established between high DR-70 level and tumour burden and the number of metastasis. In another study, on the other hand, no correlation has been detected between high DR-70 level and histological type of tumour and (20). The present study serum DR-70 levels were not correlated with the histological subtype of the tumor and tumor stage.…”

Clinico- pathological profile and course of malignant pleural effusion in a tertiary care teaching hospital in western U.P. with special reference to lung cancer

“…[ 9 20 ] Recently, a serial DR-70 immunoassay was found, to identify the underlying malignancy in its early stages, especially lung cancer, as nonspecific pleuritis often turned into malignancy later on. [ 22 ] Although it has no role in differentiating malignant from non-malignant pleural effusion.…”

DR-70 immunoassay and malignant pleural effusion

“…The topic of DR-70 immunoassay and malignant pleural effusion (PE) is an interesting article in chest oncology. [ 1 ] In a study, Sengupta et al . reported that “DR-70 assay has high sensitivity in detecting underlying lung cancer, but has no role in differentiating malignant PE from non-malignant PE.”[ 1 ] There are many considerations on actual clinical use of DR-70 immunoassay.…”

“…reported that “DR-70 assay has high sensitivity in detecting underlying lung cancer, but has no role in differentiating malignant PE from non-malignant PE.”[ 1 ] There are many considerations on actual clinical use of DR-70 immunoassay. First, the diagnostic property of this assay is only fair[ 1 2 ] and there are several cancers (such as lung, stomach, breast and rectum cancers) that can induce abnormal results. [ 2 ] In addition, the significant high level can be seen in the cases with advanced disease, which means no usefulness for early detection.…”