Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum Cripto-1 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Cripto-1 (CR-1) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-CFC protein family, which is involved in tumor pathogenesis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum CR-1 level in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS: Serum specimens from 312 NSCLC patients and 120 healthy controls were collected. Serum CR-1 level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS: The serum CR-1 level was significantly elevated in NSCLC patients compared with healthy controls (P < .001). Higher serum CR-1 level was associated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis. With a cutoff value of 1.67 ng/mL, CR-1 showed a good diagnostic performance for NSCLC. Kaplan-Meier log rank analysis revealed that the low serum CR-1 patients had a better overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with high CR-1 patients (P = .004 and .001, respectively). Further univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that serum CR-1 level was an independent risk factor of prognosis of NSCLC patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that serum CR-1 level is a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for NSCLC patients.