Clinical validation of an autoantibody test for lung cancer — Ann Oncol

Ann Oncol (2011) 22 (2): 383-389.
doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdq361
First published online: July 30, 2010

Clinical validation of an autoantibody test for lung cancer
P. Boyle1, C. J. Chapman2, S. Holdenrieder3, A. Murray4, C. Robertson5, W. C. Wood6, P. Maddison7, G. Healey4, G. H. Fairley4, A. C. Barnes4 and J. F. R. Robertson2,*

+ Author Affiliations
1International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France
2Division of Surgery, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
3Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany
4Oncimmune Ltd, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham
5Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
6Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA
7Department of Neurology, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK


*Correspondence to: Prof. J. F. R. Robertson, Division of Breast Surgery, University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham NG5 1PB, UK. Tel: +44 (0)115-823-1876; Fax: +44 (0)115-823-1877; E-mail: John.Robertson@nottingham.ac.uk


Received April 1, 2010.
Revision received May 28, 2010.
Accepted May 31, 2010.


Abstract
Background: Autoantibodies may be present in a variety of underlying cancers several years before tumours can be detected and testing for their presence may allow earlier diagnosis. We report the clinical validation of an autoantibody panel in newly diagnosed patients with lung cancer (LC).

Patients and methods: Three cohorts of patients with newly diagnosed LC were identified: group 1 (n = 145), group 2 (n = 241) and group 3 (n = 269). Patients were individually matched by gender, age and smoking history to a control individual with no history of malignant disease. Serum samples were obtained after diagnosis but before any anticancer treatment. Autoantibody levels were measured against a panel of six tumour-related antigens (p53, NY-ESO-1, CAGE, GBU4-5, Annexin 1 and SOX2). Assay sensitivity was tested in relation to demographic variables and cancer type/stage.

Results: The autoantibody panel demonstrated a sensitivity/specificity of 36%/91%, 39%/89% and 37%/90% in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively, with good reproducibility. There was no significant difference between different LC stages, indicating that the antigens included covered the different types of LC well.

Conclusion: This assay confirms the value of an autoantibody panel as a diagnostic tool and offers a potential system for monitoring patients at high risk of LC.

full-text:
Clinical validation of an autoantibody test for lung cancer — Ann Oncol