Objective: To investigate the expression of serum endothelial cell specific molecule 1 (ESM-1) in gastric cancer and to evaluate the effect of serum ESM-1 as a potential serum biomarker.
Methods: Serum ESM-1 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and CEA, CA19.9, CA72.4 were detected by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) in 102 patients with gastric cancer preoperatively. At the same time, serum ESM-1, CEA, CA19-9, CA72-4 in 41 healthy adults volunteers were detected with the same method. In addition, the follow-up data of all the patients were collected.
Results: Compared to healthy volunteers, the serum ESM-1 level in gastric cancer patients increased (P<0.01). The sensitivity and specificity of serum ESM-1 were 73.9% and 51.2% respectively. In contrast, the sensitivities of CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 were only 16.1%, 18.3% and 23.2% respectively. High level of serum ESM-1 indicated poor outcomes (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Serum ESM-1 increases in the peripheral blood of the gastric cancer patients. It may be a potential serum marker to help diagnosis and prediction of prognosis of gastric cancer patients.