Determination of the Serum Values of C1q/TNF-related Proteins 9 and 12 in Colorectal Cancer Patients and Comparison with the Healthy Control Group

Background: C1q/TNF-related proteins (CTRPs) are a new family of secretory adipokines that exhibit functional tasks in the metabolic/energy status of the body, obesity, and inflammation. Little research has been conducted on CTRPs in malignancies. Objectives: For the first time, this research explored the serum values of CTRP9 and CTRP12 in colorectal cancer patients (CRCs), and their relationship with clinicopathology. Methods: This study enrolled 44 CRCs and 44 healthy controls (HCs) aged 15 to 76 years. CTRP9 and CTRP12 were measured, using the ELISA method. The clinicopathological data of the CRC patients were obtained from clinical records. SPSS v.16 software was used to analyze data, and GraphPad Prism 5.04 statistical software was utilized to prepare graphs. Results: CTRP9 serum values were significantly higher in the CRCs than in HCs (295.87 ± 128.63 vs 257.46 ± 77.56, P-value = 0.009). The serum values were also significantly higher in the deceased patients than in other patients (P-value = 0.019). However, no meaningful difference was established in the serum values of CTRP12 between the two groups (P-value = 0.443). The findings also displayed a positive correlation between the serum values of CTRP9 and CTRP12 (R = 0.591, P-value < 0.001) in the CRC group. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that CTRP9, with a cut-off point > 279.89 pg/mL, exhibited an area under the curve equal to 0.661 for the diagnosis of CRC (95%CI: 0.544 - 0.778; P-value = 0.0093, sensitivity = 52.27%, and specificity = 84.09%). Conclusions: Our results confirmed that CTRP9 is a good marker with appropriate specificity for CRC diagnosis, and its increase is associated with negative outcomes in CRC. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings.