Assessment of a fragment of e-cadherin as a serum biomarker with predictive value for prostate cancer

R. Kuefer*, M. D. Hofer, C. S M Zorn, O. Engel, B. G. Volkmer, M. A. Juarez-Brito, M. Eggel, J. E. Gschwend, M. A. Rubin, M. L. Day

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

In prostate cancer, biomarkers may provide additional value above standard clinical and pathology parameters to predict outcome after specific therapy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an 80 kDa fragment of the cell adhesion molecule e-cadherin as a serum biomarker. A broad spectrum of prostate cancer serum samples, representing different stages of prostate cancer disease, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), localised (Loc PCA) and metastatic prostate cancer (Met PCA), was examined for the cleaved product. There is a significant difference in the expression level of the 80 kDa fragment in the serum of healthy individuals vs patients with BPH and between BPH vs Loc PCA and Met PCA (P < 0.001). Highest expression levels are observed in advanced metastatic disease. In the cohort of Loc PCA cases, there was no association between the 80 kDa serum concentration and clinical parameters. Interestingly, patients with an 80 kDa level of > 7.9 μgl-1 at the time of diagnosis have a 55-fold higher risk of biochemical failure after surgery compared to those with lower levels. This is the first report of the application of an 80 kDa fragment of e-cadherin as a serum biomarker in a broad spectrum of prostate cancer cases. At an optimised cutoff, high expression at the time of diagnosis is associated with a significantly increased risk of biochemical failure, potentially supporting its use for a tailored follow-up protocol for those patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2018-2023
Number of pages6
JournalBritish Journal of Cancer
Volume92
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 6 2005

Funding

Special thanks go to all researchers attached to the laboratory of Mark Day for critical comments and helpful discussions. Our special thanks go to Dr Kenneth J Pienta, Professor, University of Michigan, for his support through the Rapid Autopsy Program and the SPORE affiliation. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (DK-056137) (MLD) and by the Specialised Programme in Research Excellence in Prostate Cancer (P50 CA69568) (MAR).

Keywords

  • 80 kDa fragment
  • Human prostate cancer
  • Progression
  • Serum biomarker
  • e-cadherin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

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