Serum anti-p53 antibodies in lung cancer: comparison with established tumor markers

As reported earlier, p53 antibodies are detected in the sera of patients wi th different types of cancer, including lung cancer. In contrast, in the se rum of healthy subjects the presence of anti-p53 antibodies is extremely ra re. We collected the venous blood samples of 109 patients affected with lun g cancer (LQ: 57 patients (46 M, 11 F) with non-small-cell carcinoma (NSCLC ), 52 others (40 M, 12 F) with small-cell carcinoma (SCLC). Serum p53 antib odies were assayed using ELISA method and all positive sera were confirmed by Western-blot method. In addition, using IRMA methods we assayed serum CE A, TPA, CYFRA21-1 and NSE. Serum p53Ab are detectable (p53Ab-positive) in 3 5/109 (32.1%) patients with lung cancer, About 17/57 (29.8%) patients affec ted with NSCLC and 18/52 (34.6%) with SCLC were p53Ab-positive. CEA, TPA, C YFRA21-1 and NSE sensitivity in LC patients (NSCLC + SCLC) is 50.5%, 58.7%, 42.2%, 35.8%, respectively. The lower sensitivity (32.1%) of serum p53Ab i s connected with the higher specificity and diagnostic accuracy (100% and 6 9%, respectively). Out of 35 patients p53Ab-positive, five (14.3%) exhibit only serum p53Ab, while serum values of the established tumor markers were lower than cut-off. Serum p53Ab assessment is a simple and a low-cost assay with a good specificity and diagnostic accuracy that in LC patients can be used at least in association with established tumor markers. (C) 2001 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.