The tumor metabolic marker Tumor M2-PK in stool: a new biomarker for colorectal cancer

H.U. Kloer, P.D. Hardt, Third Medical Department and Policlinic, Giessen University Hospital, Germany,
P. Schlierbach, Asklepios Clinic, Lich, Germany,
M. Toepler, Clinic Wetzlar-Braunfels, Wetzlar, Germany
 
Conclusions
This study shows that the determination of Tumor M2-PK in the stool is a valuable tool for the early detection of colorectal cancer. The levels of Tumor M2-PK are significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with CRC than in the healthy control group and are correlated with tumor staging according to Dukes classification and TNM classification. Overall specificity is 79% and sensitivity is 80 %. In comparison to a variety of indirect tests that detect blood in stool with a sensitivity less than 30% [8], Tumor M2-PK has a much higher sensitivity when a single spot stool sample is analyzed. The test directly detects a tumor -specific enzyme that is released by the tumor itself.
 
Introduction
According to the American Cancer Society colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the US for both men and women. It is estimated that in 2005 about 145,290 people in the US will be newly diagnosed with CRC, and about 56,290 patients will die from CRC [1].
The development of CRCs takes place over several years. Early stages can easily be treated by endoscopic polypectomy or endoscopic resection of the mucosa. In this context effective screening strategies are of utmost importance. Although colonoscopy is the most sensitive and specific diagnostic tool, most patients will decline this investigation because of its inconvenience, invasiveness and cost. Therefore, more acceptable alternative markers are needed in order to detect patients at high risk.
One common alteration found during carcinogenesis is the isoenzyme shift of the glycolytic enzyme pyruvate kinase. The tissue specific isoenzymes, which have different metabolic tasks, are pyruvate kinase type L in the liver and kidney, type M1 in muscle and brain and type R in erythrocytes. All proliferating cells express the pyruvate kinase isoenzyme type M2 [www.metabolic-database.com]. In healthy tissues all isoenzymes of pyruvate kinase consist of four subunits. In all tumors investigated so far, including gastrointestinal tumors, only the type M2 is detectable and pyruvate kinase is mainly in the dimeric form [2]. Therefore, the dimeric form of M2-PK has been termed Tumor M2-PK.
Tumor M2-PK is up regulated in EDTA-plasma samples of patients with oesophageal, gastric, colonic and rectal carcinomas [2, 3, 4, 5]. The quantification of Tumor M2-PK in feces provides a new sensitive screening tool for colorectal tumors [6, 7].
The present study includes 338 patients who underwent complete colonoscopy after providing a sample for the determination of Tumor M2-PK. Stool samples of patients with CRC and patients without patholog ical findings were tested. Histology was obtained from the routine biopsies and/or from surgery. Tumor M2-PK in stool extracts was determined immunologically with a quantitative ELISA which is based on two monoclonal antibodies (ScheBo Biotech AG, Germany).

Table 1: Tumor M2-PK in Colorectal Carcinoma (CA) and Controls

                     N               Mean               Median          Range
                                            [U/ml]               [U/ml]            [U/ml] 

Colorectal CA      147          49.6 ± 8.0             16.5           0.24 — 800.0
Colon CA             88           57.1 ± 12.4           23.8           0.48 — 800.0
Rectal CA            59           38.3 ± 7.5             11.7           0.24 — 270.4
Controls              191          3.5 ± 0.4               1.7             0.16 — 34.3
 
Results
Data from 191 controls with no pathological finding upon colonoscopy and 147 patients with CRC have been evaluated to date (Table 1). There is a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) between tumor patients and controls. At a cut-off point of 4 U/ml, the calculated sensitivity is 85% for colon cancer and 71% for rectal cancer and the specificity is 79%. Fecal Tumor M2-PK levels of 88 patients with CRC were correlated with tumor staging according to TNM (Figure 2) and Dukes classification. There is a significant difference between controls and tumor stages T1 and T2, and a highly significant difference (p < 0.00 1) between controls and tumor stages T3 and T4. Sensitivity for T1, T2, T3, and T4 is 56%, 61%, 82%, and 83%, respectively. Staging according to Dukes classification revealed a significant difference between controls and Dukes A, and a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) between controls and Dukes B to Dukes D. Sensitivity is 52% for Dukes A, 76% for Dukes B, 81% for Dukes C, and 82% for Dukes D.
 
References:
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Poster from the ASCO 41st Annual Meeting, May 13-17, 2005 Orlando/Florida