Published in:
01-10-2012 | Original Paper
Are circulating autoantibodies to ABCC3 transporter a potential biomarker for lung cancer?
Published in: Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology | Issue 10/2012
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Purpose
The present study was undertaken to test circulating autoantibody to ATP-binding cassette C3 (ABCC3) transporter in order to confirm whether anti-ABCC3 antibody could serve as a biomarker for early diagnosis of lung cancer.
Methods
This study recruited 275 patients (178 males and 97 females) with non-small cell lung cancer (either squamous carcinoma or adenocarcinoma) and 226 control subjects (134 males and 92 females) well matched in age and smoking history. Anti-ABCC3 IgA and IgG were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) approach that was developed in house with the human leukocyte antigen class II (HLA-II) restricted antigens.
Results
Mann–Whitney U test showed that the IgG antibody level was significantly higher in female patients with adenocarcinoma than female controls (Z = −4.34, P < 0.001) and that the IgA antibody level was significantly higher in male patients with squamous carcinoma than male controls (Z = −3.12, P = 0.002). Pearson’s Chi-square (χ2) test showed that female patients with adenocarcinoma had a significantly higher positive rate for IgG autoantibody than female controls (χ
2
= 8.73, P = 0.003). The ELISA sensitivity against a specificity of >95 % was 18.1 % for IgG assay in female patients and 18.0 % for IgA assay in male patients. The inter-assay deviation was 10.6 % for IgG assay and 14.5 % for IgA assay.
Conclusions
Circulating autoantibodies to ABCC3 transporter may be a potential biomarker that can be added to a panel of existing biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of lung cancer although the gender differences should be taken into account.