Can the Irisin be a Biomarker for Prostate Cancer? A Case Control Study

Abstract

Aim: There is much evidence of an association between cancer and irisin that is an adipokine. This study researched on the relationship between prostate cancer (PCa) and irisin levels, and whether irisin can be used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of PCa. Materials and Methods: For the study groups, 50 primary PCa patients and 30 healthy male subjects were included in the PCa and healthy control groups, respectively. All volunteers in the healthy control group were screened for prostate cancer and other malignancies and chronic diseases. Volunteers who were determine to be completely healthy were included for healthy control group. In the serum samples of the subjects were measured free PSA, total PSA and irisin levels. Irisin levels were compared separately in terms of the Gleason scores and T stage. In addition to intergroup comparisons, the ROC curve for the irisin was plotted and power analysis was performed. Results: Free and total PSA levels in the PCa group were significantly higher compared to the healthy control group (p<0.05). In addition, irisin levels in the PCa group were significantly lower than in the healthy control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between irisin levels in the groups classified in terms of Gleason scores (p>0.05). When the cutoff value was taken as 8.1, the sensitivity and specificity of irisin for PCa were as 80.5% and 90%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the levels of irisin in the PCa group are considerably reduced and irisin may be used as a biomarker as well as free and total PSA.

Serum Levels of Irisin and Omentin-1 in Breast Neoplasms and Their Association with Tumor Histology

“…In addition, elevated irisin expression was observed in cancer cells and tumor stromal fibroblasts of non-small-cell lung carcinoma [ 36 ]. Furthermore, in clinical studies recruiting colorectal [ 37 ], prostate [ 38 ], and bladder [ 39 ] cancer patients, serum irisin levels were lower compared to healthy controls. Conversely, increased irisin concentrations were found in renal cancer patients compared to disease-free individuals [ 40 ].…”

Current Evidence of the Role of the Myokine Irisin in Cancer

“…Studies from breast [ 91 , 92 ], hepatocellular [ 94 ], colorectal [ 96 ], renal [ 97 ], prostate [ 99 ] and gastric [ 100 ] cancer patients suggest that the serum irisin levels may serve as a diagnostic marker. However, the reliability and validity of the commercially available ELISA assays [ 48 , 51 , 52 ], utilized in most of the studies to measure irisin in human serum, are questionable and should be resolved.…”

“…The serum irisin levels were also found in significantly lower levels in prostate cancer patients compared with healthy subjects [ 99 ]. Finally, measurements of the serum irisin levels in healthy and newly diagnosed gastric cancer (GC) patients found significantly higher levels in gastric cancer patients compared to healthy controls, suggesting a possible role of serum irisin as a biomarker of GC disease diagnoses [ 100 ].…”

“…Overall, the evidence from the in vivo studies does not provide a clear picture of the exact role of irisin in cancer. The majority of the studies showed lower serum irisin levels in breast [ 91 , 92 ], hepatocellular carcinoma [ 94 , 95 ], colorectal [ 96 ], bladder [ 98 ] and prostate [ 99 ] cancer patients compared to healthy humans. Three studies found higher serum irisin levels in hepatocellular carcinoma [ 93 ], renal [ 97 ] and bladder [ 100 ] cancer patients compared to healthy humans ( Table 3 ).…”

<p>Review of Research on the Role of Irisin in Tumors</p>

“…For example, researchers recently found that patients with bladder or prostate cancer had significantly lower serum irisin levels than the control subjects. 2,3 The results indicate that irisin can be a potential target for tumor diagnosis and treatment. Studies have shown that exercise can reduce the risk of cancer and improve patient prognosis through direct or indirect anticancer mechanisms such as metabolism, epigenetics, and mental health.…”