Serum proteins profile as an indicator of malignancy: multivariate logistic regression and ROC analyses

Abstract

The electrophoretic pattern of serum proteins of 85 patients carrying different types of neoplasia and 85 matched healthy adults were comparatively studied by agarose gel electrophoresis, to find out if there is a specific protein pattern common to different types of cancer. Each protein fraction was analyzed quantitatively by densitometry. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed using SPSS software. When total protein and albumin were measured by colorimetric methods, cancer patients, compared to controls, had a decreased concentration of total protein (66.0+/-11.5 g/L vs. 76.4+/-6.8 g/L, p< or =0.0001) and of albumin (39.0+/-8.1 g/L vs. 46.0+/-4.3 g/L, p< or =0.0001). The electrophoretic data of serum proteins showed that the ratio of albumin to globulin (0.92+/-0.30 vs. 1.21+/-0.16, p< or =0.0001), percent of the fractions albumin (46.7+/-8.5% vs. 54.4+/-3.5%, p< or =0.0001) and beta-globulin (11.6+/-4.4% vs. 13.0+/-1.9%, p< or =0.001) were decreased and alpha(1)- (5.3+/-2.5% vs. 2.9+/-0.8%, p< or =0.0001), alpha(2)- (13.5+/-4.8% vs. 11.3+/-2.1%, p< or =0.0001) and gamma-globulins (23.0+/-7.7% vs. 18.3+/-3.1%, p< or =0.0001) were significantly increased in cancer patients relative to controls. Cancer patients also had higher counts of leukocytes (7.98+/-3.11, x10(9) cells/L vs. 6.33+/-1.68 x10(9) cells/L, p< or =0.0001) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (35.9+/-23.5 mm/h vs. 14.1+/-9.5 mm/h,p< / =0.0001). On the basis of univariate analysis, a protein profile out of the normal ranges was more prevalent in cancer patients than in controls. Analysis of the data using multiple logistic regression indicated that the prevalence of cancer was strongly associated with the serum proteins' profile, and alpha(1)-globulin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total protein and the ratio of albumin to globulin were the best parameters to discriminate between malignant and healthy states. The area under the ROC curves were the same for most components of the serum proteins' profile at about 0.75+/-0.09, p< or =0.001. We conclude that the profile of serum proteins indicates high diagnostic values for discriminating between cancer patients and healthy individuals and may be useful as an adjunct diagnosis for detection of malignancy.

Diagnostic value of the lymphocyte-to-monocyte and albumin-to-globulin ratios in patients with colon cancer

“…Growing tumors induce hypoalbuminemia via secreting in ammatory cytokines, which may inhibit albumin synthesis and promote albumin loss, resulting in weak systemic response. Rasouli et al [29] reported that patients with malignant tumors had a decreased concentration of albumin, which were measured by colorimetric methods, compared with healthy controls, which was accordant with the present study results. Globulin, as a re ector for most proin ammation protein, was increased by the accumulation of acute-phase proteins and immunoglobulins [30].…”

“…The AGR, which is compatible with hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia, may be able to more accurately re ect the nutritional and in ammatory state, and thus, is associated with the progression of neoplasia. The electrophoretic data of serum proteins showed that the AGR was signi cantly decreased in 85 patients harboring cancer relative to controls [29]. Cheng et al [31] con rmed that the globulin-to-albumin ratio (GAR), was signi cantly higher in the subjects with liver disease compared with individuals with no evidence of liver disease.…”

Evaluation of the level of gamma radiation dose on some immune system parameters against cancer

“…Proteins are important building blocks of cells, tissues and vital for body growth, development and health (RASOULI et al, 2005). In the present study, total proteins and albumin were significantly decreased in mice of G3 (irradiated at 0.8 Gy) and in mice of G6 (malignant -irradiated at 0.8 Gy) this decrease in total protein in both two groups might be referred to the effect of radiation which may be leads to damage of vital biological processes or to changes in permeability of liver, kidney and other tissue cells leading to leakage of proteins via the kidney (CHOLDHARI;CHAKRABARTI, 1983).…”

Cancer Risk and Prognosis after a Hospital Contact for an Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

“…In addition to acute-phase proteins, red blood cell aggregation is increased by immunoglobulins. Presence of cancer cells in the body may stimulate an immune response from the host, thereby increasing the level of acute-phase proteins and immunoglobulins (4). Moreover, some hematologic cancer cells themselves may produce immunoglobulins that are excreted in the blood; that is, in multiple myeloma and Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.…”