Decreased preoperative serum fibulin-3 levels in colon cancer patients

O. Simsek, A. Kocael, A. Kemik, B. Vatankulu, P. Kocael, M. Halac, K. Ulualp, K. Sonmezoglu

Department of General Surgery, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. akocael147@yahoo.com

---

• Oncology

OBJECTIVE: Fibulin-3 is known to play a role in tumor cell malignancy, invasion and metastasis, as well as in the clinical progression of tumors. This study aimed to assess serum fibulin-3 levels in patients with colon cancer compared with healthy controls and its relationship to demographics and tumor pathology.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients (mean age, 58.99 years; 42% males) with colon cancer and 50 controls (mean age, 57.75; 55% males) were included. Serum levels of fibulin-3 were determined using a commercially available sandwich ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay).

RESULTS: Preoperative serum fibulin-3 levels were significantly lower in the group of patients with colon cancer (mean, 35.91 ng/mL; range, 10-73 ng/mL) compared with the control group (mean, 96.68 ng/mL; range, 57-168 ng/mL).

CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that fibulin-3 is expressed at a lower level in colon cancer, and it can serve as a marker for advanced colon cancer.

Free PDF Download