Preoperative serum YKL-40 is a marker for detection and prognosis of endometrial cancer Journal Article


Authors: Diefenbach, C. S. M.; Shah, Z.; Iasonos, A.; Barakat, R. R.; Levine, D. A.; Aghajanian, C.; Sabbatini, P.; Hensley, M. L.; Konner, J.; Tew, W.; Spriggs, D.; Fleisher, M.; Thaler, H.; Dupont, J.
Article Title: Preoperative serum YKL-40 is a marker for detection and prognosis of endometrial cancer
Abstract: Objective.: YKL-40 is a secreted glycoprotein of the chitinase family that has been previously described as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for a number of cancers, including epithelial ovarian cancer. In this study, we examined the frequency of serum elevation as well as the diagnostic and prognostic significance of this serum marker in endometrial cancer. Materials and methods.: Preoperative serum levels of YKL-40 and CA125 were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for all endometrial cancer patient samples (34) available in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Gynecology Service Tissue Bank between the years 1987 and 2002, and compared to a cohort of normal individuals. A YKL-40 value of 61 ng/mL has previously been determined to represent the upper limit of normal. YKL-40 values were correlated with clinical characteristics, including patient age, tumor grade, histology, clinical stage, and clinical outcome (progression-free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]). Results.: YKL-40 was elevated (> 61 ng/mL) in 26 (76%) of 34 endometrial cancer patients compared with elevations of CA125 in 21 (62%) of 34 patients (P = 0.09). Twenty-eight (82%) of all 34 patients had elevations of either CA125 or YKL-40 or both; 16 (89%) of 18 advanced-stage endometrial cancer patients had elevation of at least one of these two markers. Median preoperative YKL-40 value was 137 ng/mL (range, 22-1738 ng/mL) for endometrial cancer patients compared with 28 ng/mL (range, 15-72 ng/mL) for normal healthy subjects (P < 0.0001). There was no statistically significant association of YKL-40 with patient age, tumor grade, histology, or stage. Elevation of YKL-40 (> 80 ng/mL) was correlated with poor clinical outcome in univariate analysis, but was not demonstrated in multivariate analysis. At 5 years' follow-up, the PFS rate was 80% for patients with YKL-40 < 80 ng/mL compared with 43% for patients with YKL-40 > 80 ng/mL (P = 0.004). The 5-year OS rate for patients with YKL-40 < 80 ng/mL was 79% compared with 48% for patients with YKL-40 > 80 ng/mL (P = 0.047). Conclusion.: Preoperative serum YKL-40 is frequently elevated and may represent a novel marker for the detection of endometrial cancer and the identification of high-risk subsets of patients with worse clinical outcome. Further investigation of this promising endometrial cancer marker in larger studies is warranted. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: adult; cancer survival; clinical article; controlled study; treatment outcome; aged; middle aged; survival rate; unclassified drug; overall survival; clinical feature; advanced cancer; cancer patient; preoperative care; endometrial cancer; cancer diagnosis; endometrial neoplasms; neoplasm staging; endometrium cancer; protein blood level; tumor markers, biological; cohort analysis; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; histology; survival time; correlation analysis; disease severity; statistical significance; preoperative period; diagnosis; multivariate analysis; ca 125 antigen; ca-125 antigen; univariate analysis; protein determination; glycoproteins; glycoprotein; roc curve; plasma protein; ykl 40 protein; ykl-40
Journal Title: Gynecologic Oncology
Volume: 104
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0090-8258
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2007-02-01
Start Page: 435
End Page: 442
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.08.028
PUBMED: 17023034
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 19" - "Export Date: 17 November 2011" - "CODEN: GYNOA" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Richard R Barakat
    629 Barakat
  2. Douglas A Levine
    380 Levine
  3. Jakob Dupont
    65 Dupont
  4. Jason Konner
    155 Konner
  5. Paul J Sabbatini
    262 Sabbatini
  6. Alexia Elia Iasonos
    362 Iasonos
  7. Martee L Hensley
    289 Hensley
  8. William P Tew
    244 Tew
  9. David R Spriggs
    325 Spriggs
  10. Martin Fleisher
    312 Fleisher
  11. Howard T Thaler
    245 Thaler