The Significance of Pregnancy-associated Plasma Protein a Serum Concentration in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Background/Aim: Proteinase pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) modulates the cell growth and carcinogenesis process. Its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of PAPP-A serum concentration in diagnosis, follow-up and prognosis of ccRCC patients. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study including 121 patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy for ccRCC [localized ccRCC without relapse (n=80), localized ccRCC with later relapse (n=26), primary metastatic cancer (n=15)] PAPP-A serum concentration was assessed preoperatively and in certain subgroups also postoperatively. Results: PAPP-A serum concentration showed no statistically significant difference between ccRCC and controls and among ccRCC subgroups, respectively. Disease stage and Fuhrman’s grade were not shown to affect PAPP-A concentration. The dynamics of postoperative PAPP-A concentrations did not reveal any significance and PAPP-A was not a prognostic factor for cancer related or overall survival. Conclusion: PAPP-A serum concentration does not seem to be a useful biomarker in ccRCC.