P226 - ECE_3536 - Serum biomarkers as tools for disease recurrence detection and monitoring in patients with neuroendocrine tumors

Abstract

A diverse group, which are neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) is characterized by variable secretory activity. Nevertheless, the spectrum of reliable biomarkers suitable for biochemical detection and monitoring is currently limited. Factors involved in angiogenesis, inflammatory processes, and extracellular matrix remodeling, such as tumor necrosis factor-aplha (TNF-α), fascin, matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) and lipocalin-2, have been shown to contribute to tumor progression and metastasis in a multiple type of cancers. However, their clinical relevance in neuroendocrine tumors (NET) has not been fully clarified yet. The present study assessed serum concentrations of selected factors in patients with NETs in comparison with healthy controls. The study involved eighty participants: 60 patients with advanced, histologically confirmed NETs and 20 healthy volunteers without a history of any malignancy. Serum levels of TNF-α, fascin, MMP-7, and lipocalin-2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits following the manufacturer’s protocols. All samples were obtained under fasting conditions and analyzed in duplicate. Analysis of all measured factors was performed separately for pancreatic (Pan NETs), small intestine (Si NETs), and other NET cohort (rectum, stomach, lung), in comparison with healthy control groups. Statistical analysis of quantitative variables was performed using the ANOVA Kruskala-Wallisa test, ANOVA for independent groups test, with a significance threshold set at P < .05. Calculations were performed using Statistica 13 software. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, fascin, MMP-7, and lipocalin-2 were higher in NET patients compared with the control group: 16.91 vs 13.01 pg/mL (P = .000025); 23.81 vs 10.39 ng/mL (P = .07); 2.80 vs 1.65 ng/mL (P = .000013); and 196.97 vs 103.49 ng/mL (P = .000002), respectively. Only the difference in fascin levels did not reach statistical significance. In a comparative analysis of all measured factors, only MMP-7 showed an association with tumor origin. MMP-7 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with small intestine NETs compared with those with pancreatic NETs or other NET subtypes (3.39 vs 2.45 vs 2.8 ng/mL; P = .002). The study confirmed significant differences in the serum concentrations of the analyzed factors between patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and healthy controls. The strongest associations with the presence of NETs were observed for TNF-α, MMP-7, and lipocalin-2. Additionally, MMP-7 concentrations varied depending on the primary tumor site. Further studies in larger, long-term cohorts are needed to fully determine the clinical relevance and potential utility of these analyzed factors.