Preoperative high type I collagen degradation marker ICTP reflects advanced breast cancer

Type I collagen synthesis (PINP, PICP) and degradation (ICTP) markers were analysed from preoperative serum samples of 138 women with breast cancer (B C), 94 women with benign breast disease (BBD) and 100 healthy controls to e valuate the levels of these markers and the stage of BC at the rime of diag nosis. We also compared the clinical utility of these markers in detecting BC with CA15-3 and CEA. The mean value of ICTP was statistically significan tly elevated in the BC group (p<0.001), as compared with the control group, brit the elevated values in BC group were doe to stage IV disease. The sen sitivity of ICTP in detecting BC was 0.23, which was equal with CA15-3(0.24 ) or CEA(0.23). The sensitivity of both PICP and PINP Sol diagnosing BC was poor, but a tendency to higher serum levels of PINP and low PICP/PINP rati o was detected in patients with advanced stage IV disease. These results in dicate that high preoperative serum levels of ICTP are associated with adva nced BC, brit like CA15-3 and CEA, its clinical value in diagnosing purpose is poor.