Serum CD26 is related to histopathological polyp traits and behaves as a marker for colorectal cancer and advanced adenomas

Abstract

BackgroundSerum CD26 (sCD26) levels were previously found diminished in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients compared to healthy donors, suggesting its potential utility for early diagnosis. Therefore we aimed to estimate the utility of the sCD26 as a biomarker for CRC and advanced adenomas in a high-risk group of patients. The relationship of this molecule with polyp characteristics was also addressed.MethodssCD26 levels were measured by ELISA in 299 symptomatic and asymptomatic patients who had undergone a colonoscopy. Patients were diagnosed as having no colorectal pathology, non-inflammatory or inflammatory bowel disease, polyps (hyperplastic, non-advanced and advanced adenomas) or CRC.ResultsAt a 460 ng/mL cut-off, the sCD26 has a sensitivity and specificity of 81.8% (95% CI, 64.5-93.0%) and 72.3% (95% CI, 65.0-77.2%) for CRC regarding no or benign colorectal pathology. Clinicopathological analysis of polyps showed a relationship between the sCD26 and the grade of dysplasia and the presence of advanced adenomas. Hence, a 58.0% (95% CI, 46.5-68.9%) sensitivity detecting CRC and advanced adenomas was obtained, with a specificity of 75.5% (95% CI, 68.5-81.0%).ConclusionsOur preliminary results show that measurement of the sCD26 is a non-invasive and reasonably sensitive assay, which could be combined with others such as the faecal occult blood test for the early diagnosis and screening of CRC and advanced adenomas. Additional comparative studies in average-risk populations are necessary.

Serum dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity and sCD26 concentration in patients with choroidal nevus or uveal melanoma

“…Our previous reports indicated the potential usefulness of sCD26 as a biomarker for colorectal cancer, particularly in early diagnosis [5][6][7] and follow-up [8]. In the latter case, increased levels could be valuable for the early detection of local and distant recurrence [8], perhaps related to the presence of CD26-expressing CSCs [8,9].…”

“…Diagnostic efficiency of serum sCD26 and DPP-IV levels was tested after finding that UM groups showed "anomalous" values only above a high cut-off provisionally constructed in the same way that sCD26 cut-offs [6][7][8]. A cut-off for specificity values close to 90%, as typically required in a screening setting, was selected by the ROC (data not shown).…”

“…Serum levels of soluble CD26 (sCD26) and its dipeptidyl peptidase activity (DPP-IV) have been proposed as biomarkers for lung and colorectal cancer screening including metastasis detection [5][6][7][8][9]. A pilot study was designed to check their potential for ocular cancer detection.…”

“…A pilot study was designed to check their potential for ocular cancer detection. ELISA, immunoblotting and a kinetic method [6,7,10] were applied to determine the serum levels and enzyme activity in patients of choroidal nevus (n = 29), UM (n = 7) and UM starting therapy (n = 20), compared to healthy donors (external, n = 25, and Service attendees, n = 22). Tumor characteristics such as tumor location, tumor size or therapy modality (plaque versus enucleation) were recorded.…”

Postoperative Serum Levels of sCD26 for Surveillance in Colorectal Cancer Patients

“…Significant levels of its soluble form (sCD26) exist in plasma/serum and other biological fluids [13], [14]. In previous studies we detected that patients with primary CRC had decreased sCD26 levels in preoperative serum, and showed its value as diagnostic and prognostic marker for CRC [15] and advanced adenomas [16]. Two independent studies confirmed that sCD26 is among the best candidates for future blood-based tests for early diagnosis, alone or in combination with fecal immunochemical test (FIT) [17], [18].…”