The relationship between serum tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor levels and clinicopathological  parameters in patients with gastric cancer

O. Kemik, A. Kemik, A. Sümer, N. Almali, E. Gurluler, N. Gures, S. Purisa, G. Adas, Y. Dogan, S. Tuzun

Department of General Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Yuzuncu Yil, Van, Turkey. ozgurkemik@hotmail.com

 

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• Oncology

BACKGROUND: Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) is expressed with trypsinogen in tumors. We studied the clinical-pathologic association and significance of preoperative serum levels of TATI in gastric cancer patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Pre-treatment serum levels of TATI in patients with gastric cancer and healthy controls were analyzed by a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in serum TATI levels between patients with gastric cancer and healthy controls (p < 0.0001). There was a significant relationship between the serum levels of TATI and clinicopathological parameters. However, serum levels of TATI were significantly higher in patients with an advanced T stage (T3) (p < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (p < 0.001) and an advanced TNM stage (stage III or IV; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that TATI may be used to identify potentially high-risk groups of upper gastric carcinoma. Elevated level of TATI was associated with progressive disease or advanced stage.

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