The value of serum HE4 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma diagnosis

Early diagnosis of Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a world wide challenge due to the lack of early detection methods. Currently, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) markers play a key role in the Pancreatic adenocarcinoma diagnosis. However, they are not sensitive for early diagnosis. Here, we characterized a new promising biomakers for early diagnosis and prediction of longterm outcome of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is recently identified serum tumor marker, here we identified its function in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. HE4, CEA, CA19-9 and CA242 were detected by chemiluminescence in control and tumor patients, sensitivity and specificity of HE4, CEA, CA19-9 and CA242 for diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma were checked. The AUC value of ROC curve for HE4 was higher than CEA, CA242 (0.866 vs 0.577 vs 0.864. Surprisingly, combination of HE4 and CA199 revealed the best sensitivity (0.953). Furthermore, HE4, CEA, CA199 and CA242 of pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients before and after surgery or chemotherapy were also been analysed, but no significant difference were observed, Moreover, HE4 can predict pancreatic adenocarcinoma recurrence and metastasis (P<0.05). Together with these finding, HE4 is a promising biomakers for early diagnosis and prediction of longterm outcome of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.