Year: 2000
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The level of expression of midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor, is increased in many types of human carcinomas. An enzyme-linked immunoassay, which utilizes a combination of rabbit and chicken antibodies revealed that serum MK level in the controls (n = 135) was 0.154 +/- 0.076 (mean +/- SD) ng ml(-1)with an apparent cut-off value as 0.5 ng ml(-1). Serum MK level was significantly elevated in the cancer patients (n = 150) (P< 0.001); 87% of the patients showed levels of more than 0.5 ng ml(-1). All ten types of cancer examined showed a similar profile of serum MK level. There was no or weak correlation between C-reactive protein level, a marker of inflammation, and serum MK level. Furthermore, in case of gastric carcinoma and lung carcinoma, patients with stage I carcinoma already showed elevated serum MK levels. The present results indicated that serum MK could serve as a general tumour marker with a good potential for clinical application.
Source: British Journal of Cancer
Authors: S Ikematsu, A Yano, K Aridome, M Kikuchi, H Kumai, H Nagano, K Okamoto, M Oda, S Sakuma, T Aikou, H Muramatsu, K Kadomatsu, T Muramatsu
Language: English
Subfield: Cancer Research
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,190
OpenAlex ID: W2116451502