| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965556 | Clinica Chimica Acta | 2012 | 8 Pages |
BackgroundDickkopf-1 (DKK1), a secreted protein known as a negative regulator of the Wnt signaling pathway, has been implicated in tumorigenesis. However, the clinical significance of DKK1 in gastric cancer has not been clarified.MethodsSerum concentrations of DKK1 in 153 patients with gastric cancer and 173 healthy controls were assessed. For tissue DKK1, immunohistochemistry was performed in 144 cancer specimens from 153 patients and in an additional 265 consecutive gastric cancer specimens.ResultsThe serum DKK1 concentrations were significantly higher in the gastric cancer patients than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001). At a cutoff concentration of 31.9150 pg/ml, the sensitivity and the specificity for gastric cancer diagnosis were 87.6% and 87.9%, respectively. The gastric cancer patients with a serum DKK1 level of ≥ 60.0 pg/ml had significantly diminished survival compared with the patients whose serum DKK1 levels were lower (p = 0.033). The DKK1 overexpression in the cancer specimens significantly correlated with the increased serum DKK1 concentrations.ConclusionsSerum DKK1 levels have the potential as a diagnostic marker at a low cutoff value and as a prognostic marker at a high cutoff value. Serum and tissue DKK1 levels may aid in diagnosing gastric cancer and predicting patient outcomes.
► Serum DKK1 concentrations were significantly higher in gastric cancer patients. ► Gastric cancer patients with DKK1 levels ≥ 60.0 pg/ml had diminished survival. ► DKK1 expression in cancer specimens correlated with serum DKK1 concentrations. ► Patients with tissue DKK1 overexpression had significantly worse prognosis.
