Tenascin-C serum levels and its prognostic power in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

BackgroundTenascin-C is overexpressed in the stroma of most solid malignancies and may function as a diagnostic tumor marker. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential significance of Tenascin-C as a predictive marker for tumor progression in the sera of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.ResultsSerum concentration of Tenascin-C is significantly elevated in NSCLC patients compared to healthy controls (p=0.013). The sensitivity of Tenascin-C in detecting NSCLC was 74% at a specificity of 57%. Elevated Tenascin-C serum values are associated with larger tumor size and lymph node involvement (p=0.022 and p=0.036, respectively). The Kaplan-Meyer-curves showed a significant association of Tenascin-C with the patient's overall survival (p=0.004), but not with the recurrence-free survival (p=0.328).MethodsWe quantified Tenascin-C in the sera of 103 NSCLC patients and 76 healthy blood donors by enzyme-linked immune-absorbance assay tests. Prognostic significance was determined by area under the curve analysis and Youden-index. The results were correlated with clinical, histopathological, and patient survival data (Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, log-rank test, multivariate Cox-regression analysis).ConclusionAlthough significantly elevated in patients with NSCLC, the sensitivity and specificity of the Tenascin-C serum quantification test was low. However, although failing to be an independent prognosticator in multivariate analysis, the results implicate Tenascin-C as a predictive prognostic marker for NSCLC patients. The data must be further validated in future prospective trials with larger patient cohorts.

Correlation of Expression of Tenascin C and Blood Vessel Density in Non-small Cell Lung Cancers

“…Increased expression of TNC was observed in a large number of malignant neoplasms, such as e.g. glioblastoma multiforme, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, bladder cancer, pancreatic carcinoma, NSCLC and ductal breast carcinoma (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20). In case of bladder cancer, it was shown, that high TNC expression in extracellular matrix was associated with significantly shorter patients' survival time, whereas expression of TNC in the cytoplasm of cancer cells was associated with longer survival (21).…”

Long non-coding RNAs RP5-821D11.7, APCDD1L-AS1 and RP11-277P12.9 were associated with the prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma

“…The expression of TNC, S100A10 and S100A11 may predict survival in patients with LAD, indicating that these factors may be promising markers for better diagnosis and therapy in LAD ( 32 , 33 ). TNC expression is markedly elevated in patients with NSCLC, implying that TNC may serve as a prognostic marker for NSCLC ( 34 , 35 ). Semaphorins are a large number of transmembrane, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked and secreted proteins that are able to suppress and promote tumors ( 36 ).…”

Spatiotemporal expression of endogenous TLR4 ligands leads to inflammation and bone erosion in mouse collagen‐induced arthritis

“…Tenascin C is an extracellular matrix protein and has been reported as a TLR4 activator . Although Tenascin C is not detected in healthy adult tissues, it has been detected in the blood of healthy subjects with its source not well determined . Circulating Tenascin‐C levels are increased in many inflammatory indications, including RA .…”