Can the Acute-Phase Reactant Proteins be Used as Cancer Biomarkers?

Abstract

The association between the acute-phase reactant proteins (APRPs) and cancer has long been established. There have been numerous reports correlating altered levels of various APRPs with different types of cancers. However, researchers are often quick to dismiss the use of these APRPs as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer because alterations in APRP concentrations are observed in a wide range of diseases. Recent progress in proteomics studies which profiled the serum proteins of cancer patients and those of normal individuals indicated that the altered APRP expressions were different for distinct types, subtypes, and even stages of cancer. Interestingly, these data are in agreement with those observed earlier using immunochemical and biochemical assays. In view of this compelling association of different patterns of APRPs with various types of cancers and in an apparent shift of paradigm, we present in this review some indications that APRP fingerprinting may be used as complementary cancer biomarkers.

Serum-based protein biomarkers for detection of lung cancer

“…It had been established that APRPs and cancer abscessions are linked, and recent discoveries through proteomic technologies have shown that different types of cancers have different APRP alterations [96]. Haptoglobin (Hp) is one such example of an acute phase tetrameric (α2β2) glycoprotein whose increased levels have been reported in breast cancer [97], ovarian cancer [98] and pancreatic cancer [99].…”

Inflammation markers in cutaneous melanoma - edgy biomarkers for prognosis

“…However, traditionally immunoassays and techniques were replaced by modern proteomic analyses, and despite all the challenges, unique combinations of APRPs were recently described for several cancers 83 . Therefore, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis identifies serum amyloid A as a valuable prognostic marker for all stages of melanoma, with increased specificity and sensitivity for early stages when combined with C reactive protein.…”

Identification of candidate biomarkers using the Experion™ automated electrophoresis system in serum samples from ovarian cancer patients

“…Ceruloplasmin blocks the copper ion-activated production of toxic oxygen compounds and protects cells from oxidative stress (26). Ceruloplasmin protein is expressed in pancreatic, nasopharyngeal and germline ovarian cancers (27). Ceruloplasmin promoter activation is specifically and efficiently enhanced in ovarian cancer (28).…”