Evaluating the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum TuM2‐PK, NSE, and ProGRP in small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum tumor M2‐pyruvate kinase (TuM2‐PK), neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), and progastrin‐releasing peptide (ProGRP) levels in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). METHODS: The levels of serum TuM2‐PK, NSE, and ProGRP in 102 patients with SCLC, 60 patients with benign lung disease (BLD), and 90 healthy controls were detected. RESULTS: The serum TuM2‐PK, NSE, and ProGRP levels in the SCLC group were higher than those in BLD group (p < 0.05) and healthy control group (p < 0.05). The sensitivity of TuM2‐PK, NSE, and ProGRP detection in SCLC was 82.35%, 60.78%, and 77.45% respectively, and specificity was 91.11%, 81.11%, and 86.67%, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of SCLC resulting from TuM2‐PK was significantly better than that of NSE and ProGRP. The application of TuM2‐PK combined with NSE and ProGRP improved the diagnostic yield of SCLC patients and had better diagnostic value than TuM2‐PK alone. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that an elevated TuM2‐PK level was an independent prognostic factor for shorter survival in SCLC. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that TuM2‐PK levels in the serum could be an effective biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of SCLC.