Comparison of Serum MicroRNA21 and Tumor Markers in Diagnosis of Early Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective. To compare the clinical value of serum microRNA21 (miR21) and other tumor markers in early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods. Serums carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and miR21 were detected in 50 NSCLC cases and 60 healthy control individuals. Results. Average serums miR21, CEA, NSE, and CYFRA21-1 levels were significantly higher in the case group than in control group (P < 0.01). Analysis of areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) revealed that CEA had the highest diagnostic efficiency for NSCLC. Serums miR21 and CYFRA21-1 levels were significantly lower at TNM stages I-II than stages III-IV (P < 0.05). Further, logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that the incidence of early NSCLC (TNM stages I-II) was correlated with serums CYFRA21-1 (OR = 1.076) and miR21 (OR = 2.473) levels (P < 0.05). By AUC analysis, miR21 had the highest diagnostic efficiency for early NSCLC, and single or combined detection of serums CYFRA21-1 and miR21 levels showed improved diagnostic efficiency for joint detection of both markers. Conclusions. Serum miR21 could serve as an important marker for auxiliary diagnosis of early NSCLC, while joint detection of serums miR21 and CYFRA21-1 levels could improve diagnostic efficiency.