Aim: To explore the clinical application of tumor abnormal protein (TAP) combined with tumor markers in the diagnosis of lung cancer. Methods: Samples from 248 lung cancer patients and 59 patients with benign lung diseases were tested for TAP and tumor markers pro-gastrin-releasing peptide, carcinoembryonic antigen, NSE, CYFRA 21-1 and CA72-4. Results: The sensitivity of TAP and CYFRA 21-1 in the lung cancer group was significantly higher than that of the other indexes. TAP combined with NSE and CYFRA 21-1 or combined with NSE, CYFRA 21-1 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen detection could reduce detection indicators under the premise it does not reduce the sensitivity and accuracy of lung cancer diagnosis, and at the same time could improve the specificity, positive predictive value and positive likelihood ratio of detection. Conclusion: TAP detection represents a promising diagnostic tool. It is also suggested that combination with established tumor markers and comprehensive judgment could improve the accuracy of lung cancer auxiliary diagnosis.
Keywords: agglutination method; diagnostic value; lung; malignant tumor; metastasis; screening; tumor abnormal protein; tumor markers.
The presence of tumor abnormal protein (TAP) is closely related to the development and progression of many cancers. During metabolism, cancer cells can release complicated abnormal glycoproteins as well as calcium histone proteins which constitute TAP. In essence, TAP results from the glycosylation changes related to cancer cells. In this study, TAP and tumor markers were assessed for their diagnostic value in lung cancer. The serum levels of TAP, pro-gastrin-releasing peptide, carcinoembryonic antigen, CYFRA 21-1 and CA72-4 in the patients with lung cancer were significantly higher than in those with benign lung diseases. TAP combined with CYFRA 21-1 and CA72-4 or with CYFRA 21-1, CA72-4 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen could further improve the sensitivity of lung cancer diagnosis and is suitable for lung cancer screening in both normal and high-risk populations.