Clinical significance of peripheral blood UL16 and DR-70 for the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is of great significance to improve the survival rate and quality of life of patients, but early diagnosis of CRC requires more sensitive techniques. Peripheral blood UL16-binding protein 2 (ULBP2) and human fibrinogen degradation products (DR-70) are the main indicators for the diagnosis of malignant tumors. AIM To assess ULBP2 and DR-70 potential for the early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of CRC to provide a reference. METHODS This study involved 60 patients with early-stage CRC (CRC group), 50 patients with benign colorectal tumors (benign group), and 50 healthy patients (control group) enrolled at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University and Jiangsu Province Official Hospital between January, 2020 and January, 2022. ULBP2 and DR-70 levels in the blood were determined and differences among the three groups and early diagnostic values for CRC were determined. Patients with CRC were divided into the good prognosis and poor prognosis groups, and ULBP2 and DR-70 levels in the blood and diagnostic values were compared. RESULTS ULBP2 and DR-70 serum levels were significantly higher in the CRC group than in the control and benign groups (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed between the benign and control groups (P > 0.05). Among the 60 patients with CRC followed up for two years, two died (3.33%) and 15 exhibited tumor metastasis, progression, or recurrence (25.00%). ULBP2 and DR-70 serum levels were significantly higher in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group (P < 0.05). A receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted. Area under the curve, sensitivity, and specificity of serum ULBP2 with DR-70 for the early diagnosis of CRC were higher than those of the single serum indices (P < 0.05) in both the good and poor prognosis groups. CONCLUSION ULBP2 and DR-70 serum levels were significantly high in patients with early-stage CRC. They improved the diagnostic rate of early-stage CRC and predicted patient prognosis, thereby showing clinical application potential.