Context

The axon guidance cues netrin-1 is a secreted protein overexpressed in many different cancer tissues.

Objectives

To determine whether plasma netrin-1 can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of human cancer.

Materials and Methods

A total of 300 cancer plasma samples from breast, renal, prostate, liver, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, glioblastoma, lung, pancreatic and colon cancer patients were compared against 138 control plasma samples. Netrin-1 levels were quantified by ELISA and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Plasma netrin-1 levels were significantly increased in breast, renal, prostate, liver, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, and glioblastoma cancers as compared to control samples.

Discussion and Conclusion

Our results suggest that plasma netrin-1 can be used as a diagnostic biomarker for many human cancers.