The performance of the SHOX2/ PTGER4 methylation assay is influenced by cancer stage, age, type and differentiation

Biomark Med. 2020 Apr;14(5):341-351. doi: 10.2217/bmm-2019-0325. Epub 2020 Apr 6.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the clinicopathological factors affecting the mSHOX2/mPTGER4 assay performance and its application in lung cancer detection in Chinese population. Materials & methods: A total of 455 subjects were recruited in this case-control study (302 untreated lung cancer patients, 153 normal subjects). Blood samples were collected before therapy and the mSHOX2/mPTGER4 level was measured with Epi proLung assay. Results: The mSHOX2/mPTGER4 sensitivity was 75.6% at 84.8% specificity. Both markers showed stage-dependent sensitivity. mSHOX2 was more sensitive to small-cell lung cancer and mPTGER4 was more sensitive to poorly differentiated lung cancer. Sensitivity increased with age but was not affected by sex. The mPRGER4/mSHOX2 sensitivity was significantly higher than that of protein markers. Conclusion: The mSHOX2/mPTGER4 assay showed some values with more limitations in lung cancer early detection.

Keywords: NSCLC; PTGER4; SCLC; SHOX2; lung cancer; methylation; sensitivity; specificity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aging / genetics*
  • DNA Methylation*
  • Early Detection of Cancer
  • Female
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype / genetics*

Substances

  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • PTGER4 protein, human
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • SHOX2 protein, human