Preoperative serum CD26 levels: diagnostic efficiency and predictive value for colorectal cancer

Br J Cancer. 2000 Nov;83(9):1139-46. doi: 10.1054/bjoc.2000.1410.

Abstract

CD26 is an ectoenzyme with dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity expressed on a variety of cell types. Although the function of the high concentration of serum-soluble CD26 (sCD26) is unknown, it may be related to the cleavage of biologically active polypeptides. As CD26 or enzymatic activity levels were previously associated with cancer, we examined the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of preoperative sCD26 measurements by ELISA in colorectal carcinoma patients. We found a highly significant difference between sCD26 levels in healthy donors (mean 559.7 +/- 125.5 microg l(-1)) and cancer patients (mean 261.7 +/- 138.1 microg l(-1)) (P< 0.001). A cut-off at 410 microg l(-1)gave 90% sensitivity with 90% specificity which means that the diagnostic efficiency of sCD26 is higher than that shown by other markers, particularly in patients at early stages. Moreover, sCD26 as a variable is not related with Dukes' stage classification, age, gender, tumour location or degree of differentiation. With a follow-up of 2 years until recurrence, preliminary data show that sCD26 can be managed as a prognostic variable of early carcinoma patients. In addition, the origin of sCD26 is discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen / blood
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / blood*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Crohn Disease / blood
  • Crohn Disease / pathology
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 / blood*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / blood
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Stomach Neoplasms / blood
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Carcinoembryonic Antigen
  • Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4