THE POTENTIAL OF SERUM LEVELS OF SOLUBLE TUMOR-NECROSIS-FACTOR RECEPTOR-I AS A BIOCHEMICAL MARKER IN CERVICAL-CANCER

Objectives To investigate the significance of serum levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF-RI) as a potential biochemical marker in women with cervical cancer. Design A prospective, case-cont rolled study. Participants Seventy-one women with cervical cancer and 33 women with myoma were enrolled in this study. Methods Pre-operative serum levels of sTNF-RI were measured with a standard enzyme-linked i mmunosorbent assay utilising murine monoclonal antibody against sTNF-R I. Main outcome measures All data in both groups were evaluated and co rrelated with the pre-operative serum levels of sTNF-RI. Data analysis was carried out using ANOVA with multiple comparison and linear regre ssion. Results The mean serum level of sTNF-RI in the cervical cancer group was significantly lower than that in the myoma group (P < 0.001) . The sTNF-RI levels decreased sequentially with disease progression f rom Stage Ia to IIb in women with cervical cancer. The mean serum leve l of sTNF-RI was also significantly lower in women with positive lymph node (P < 0.05) or recurrent cancer (P < 0.001). A negative correlati on was observed between serum levels of sTNF-RI and tumour size (r = - 0.622, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Decreased pre-operative serum levels o f sTNF-RI are observed in women with cervical cancer. The results do n ot support that the use of sTNF-RI as a biochemical marker for cervica l cancer.