CAN LYVE-1 MOLECULE BE A DIAGNOSTIC BIOMARKER IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED LUNG CANCER?

Objective: Primary lung cancers that originate from epithelial cells are classified as carcinomas. Close monitoring of patients with predisposing conditions can enhance early diagnosis rates and facilitate the implementation of therapeutic approaches. LYVE-1 protein is localized to the lymphatic endothelial layer. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of the serum protein and circulating mRNA of LYVE-1 in lung cancer. Materials and Methods: We performed ELISA and Real-time PCR to measure and compare the serum protein and circulating mRNA levels of LYVE-1 in the peripheral blood of 60 patients with advanced lung cancer and 20 controls. Results: Serum LYVE-1 protein and gene expression levels were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in controls (p=0.001). There was no association between LYVE-1 (both protein and gene) clinical parameters. The outcome of the ROC analysis, serum LYVE-1 protein (AUC: 0.873) or LYVE-1 gene (AUC: 0.921) in lung cancer patients. Conclusion: As far as we are aware, this study represents the first investigation to compare the protein and mRNA levels of LYVE-1 in the blood samples of lung cancer patients. Additional research involving a larger cohort of subjects will be necessary to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and consequences of LYVE-1 inhibitors in lung cancer.