Predictive value of preoperative serum cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1(CYFRA 21-1) in surgical resection for colorectal cancer: A retrospective study

This study evaluates the potential of cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen 21-1 (CYFRA 21-1) as a prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after surgical treatment. A retrospective review examined 456 CRC patients who received surgical intervention at our center from January 2022 through February 2024. Analysis included preoperative biomarkers (CYFRA 21-1, CEA, CA19-9) alongside comprehensive pathological findings. The determined optimal threshold values were 4.9 ng/ml for CYFRA 21-1, 29.2 ng/ml for CEA, and 72.8 U/ml for CA19-9. Significant clinical and pathological differences emerged between patients with high versus low CYFRA 21-1, including variations in sex, tumor characteristics, invasion patterns, nodal status, and TNM stage (P = 0.018, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, 0.002, 0.001, 0.003, respectively). High CYFRA 21-1 (≥4.9 ng/ml) served as an independent predictor for diminished 5-year overall survival (OS). Elevated preoperative CYFRA 21-1 represents a significant independent prognostic factor in CRC patients. An integrated predictive model combining CYFRA 21-1, CEA, CA19-9, and TNM staging offers valuable risk stratification capabilities that could enhance surveillance strategies and therapeutic decision-making for CRC patients.