Diagnostic and prognostic value of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin and cancer antigen 15-3 serum levels in benign and malignant breast disease

Abstract

Purpose: Increased neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) serum levels have been shown in studies for colorectal, gastric, esophageal, liver, thyroid and lung cancer. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the differences of NGAL and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) serum levels between the groups of patients diagnosed with either breast cancer, or benign breast disorders in order to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of these biomarkers. Material and Methods: The patients were divided into three groups as the malignancy group, the benign group, and the control group. Serum NGAL/CA15-3 levels, the presence of a breast lesion, and the type of the lesion were recorded. In the malignancy group; parameters including tumor type, invasion degree, T/N stages, lymphovascular/perineural invasion, histological grade, c-erbB2, e-cadherin, estrogen and progesteron reseptor levels were recorded, and compared between the three groups. Results: Eighty four patients were enrolled to the study. The mean NGAL level was higher in the benign group. CA15-3 detection did not reveal significant difference between the study groups. In the malignant group; increased serum NGAL levels were associated with higher histological grade, while elevated CA15-3 levels were associated with positive lymph node count. Conclusion: The association of elevated CA15-3 levels with metastatic lymph node counts proves that the prognostic value of this marker is higher than its diagnostic accuracy. On the other hand, serum NGAL detection results reveal that the diagnostic value of NGAL for breast cancer is lower when compared to other cancer types.