Serum expression level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen, highly sensitive C-reactive protein, and CA-125 as potential biomarkers for recurrence of cervical cancer

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum expression levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and CA-125 as potential serum biomarkers for recurrence of cervical cancer. Methods: Eighty-six cervical cancer patients who received radical treatment were retrospectively included in this study from February 2011 to January 2014. Of the included 86 cases, 23 were recurred within the 36 months (recurrence group [RG]) and other 63 patients did not (non-RG [NRG]). The serum levels of SCC-Ag, hs-CRP, and CA-125 were examined and compared between the two groups. The prediction recurrence sensitivity, specificity area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were calculated by STATA11.0 software (http://www.stata.com). The correlation among SCC-Ag, hs-CRP, and CA-125 were analyzed by Pearson correlation test. Results: The serum levels of SCC-Ag, hs-CRP, and CA-125 were 1.29 (0.21–33.20) mg/mL, 4.78 (0.22–175.20) mg/mL, and 11.56 (2.028–123.66) IU/mL for NRG and 5.64 (0.50–136.80) mg/mL, 22.41 (0.56–588.90) mg/mL, and 25.41 (3.658–3687.00) IU/mL for RG, respectively. The serum levels of SCC-Ag, hs-CRP, and CA-125 in NG group were significant higher than those of NRG group (P < 0.05). The recurrence prediction sensitivity was 0.74, 0.65, and 0.74; specificity was 0.65, 0.63, and 0.58; area under the curve was 0.75, 0.66, and 0.67, respectively, for serum SCC-Ag, hs-CRP, and CA-125. Significant positive correlation between SCC-Ag and hs-CRP (r_pearson = 0.20, P = 0.04), SCC-Ag and CA-125 (r_pearson = 0.64, P < 0.001), hs-CRP and CA-125 (r_pearson= –0.13, P = 0.56) was found in the RG patients. Conclusion: Serum SCC-Ag, hs-CRP, and CA-125 were higher in recurrence cervical patients which could be potential biomarkers for predicting cervical cancer recurrence risk.