We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us
INTEGRA BIOSCIENCES AG

Download Mobile App




Combining IL-6 Measurement with a Standard Biomarker Panel Improves Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 26 Feb 2020
Print article
Image: Intermediate magnification micrograph of a low malignant potential (LMP) mucinous ovarian tumor (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Image: Intermediate magnification micrograph of a low malignant potential (LMP) mucinous ovarian tumor (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
Addition of the inflammatory biomarker IL-6 (interleukin-6) to a standard panel of tumor markers was found to enchance immunodiagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynaecologic cancers and has the highest mortality rate. About 300,000 new cases are diagnosed each year world wide, with an estimated 60% of patients dying within five years after diagnosis.

Since HGSOC (high-grade serous ovarian cancer) progression is correlated with local and systemic inflammation, investigators at RMIT University (Melbourne, Australia) hypothesised that inclusion of inflammatory biomarkers in sera may improve diagnostic tests.

To test this hypothesis, the investigators used four existing clinical tests (RMI score and ROMA, CA125, and HE4) and a panel of 28 immune soluble biomarkers in sera from 66 patients undergoing surgery for suspected ovarian cancer. For this study, multiplex magnetic bead immunoassay kits were used to simultaneously measure 28 analytes in a single sample. This allowed quantitative measurement of cytokines (GM-CSF, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-1beta, IL-1RA, IL-2, IL-2R, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 (p40/p70), IL-13, IL-15, IL-17 and TNF-alpha) and chemokines (RANTES, Eotaxin, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1alpha, CCL4/ MIP-1beta, CXCL9/MIG, CXCL10/IP-10) in patient’s serum.

Six promising immune biomarkers alone, or in combination with conventional tests, were subsequently analyzed in an independent validation cohort of 69 patients. The cytokine IL-6 was identified as the main driver of variability followed closely by conventional diagnostic tests. Median sera IL-6 was higher in HGSOC patients compared to those with a benign mass or controls with normal ovaries. The combination of IL-6 further improved the overall predictive probability of the conventional tests.

"Our new test is as accurate as the combined results of a standard blood test and ultrasound," said senior author Dr. Magdalena Plebanski, professor of immunology at RMIT University. "This is especially important for women in remote or disadvantaged communities, where under-resourced hospitals may not have access to complex and expensive equipment like ultrasound machines or MRI scanners. It also means patients with benign cysts identified through imaging could potentially be spared unnecessary surgeries. This study looked at women with advanced ovarian cancer, but we hope further research could explore the potential for adding this biomarker to routine diagnostic tests at earlier stages of the disease."

Results of the study were published in the February 10, 20120, online edition of the journal Scientific Reports.

Related Links:
RMIT University

Platinum Member
COVID-19 Rapid Test
OSOM COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test
HLX
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
Gold Member
Real-time PCR System
GentierX3 Series

Print article

Channels

Clinical Chemistry

view channel
Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)

POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection

Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The Gazelle Hb Variant Test (Photo courtesy of Hemex Health)

First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy

Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The new platform is designed to perform blood-based diagnoses of nontuberculosis mycobacteria (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

New Blood Test Cuts Diagnosis Time for Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Infections from Months to Hours

Breathing in nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is a common experience for many people. These bacteria are present in water systems, soil, and dust all over the world and usually don't cause any problems.... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: These new assays are being developed for use on the recently introduced DxI 9000 Immunoassay Analyzer (Photo courtesy of Beckman Coulter)

Beckman Coulter and Fujirebio Expand Partnership on Neurodegenerative Disease Diagnostics

Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and Fujirebio Diagnostics (Tokyo, Japan) have expanded their partnership focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical adoption of neurodegenerative... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.