The potential of serum levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor I as a biochemical marker in cervical cancer

Objectives To investigate the significance of serum levels of soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor I (sTNF-RI) as a potential biochemical marker in women with cervical cancer. Design A prospective, case-controlled study. Participants Seventy-one women with cervical cancer and 33 women with myoma were enrolled in this study. Methods Pre-operative serum levels of sTNF-RI were measured with a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay utilising murine monoclonal antibody against sTNF-RI. Main outcome measures All data in both groups were evaluated and correlated with the pre-operative serum levels of sTNF-RI. Data analysis was carried out using ANOVA with multiple comparison and linear regression. Results The mean serum level of sTNF-RI in the cervical cancer group was significantly lower than that in the myoma group (P < 0.001). The sTNF-RI levels decreased sequentially with disease progression from Stage Ia to IIb in women with cervical cancer. The mean serum level of sTNF-RI was also significantly lower in women with positive lymph node (P < 0.05) or recurrent cancer (P < 0.001). A negative correlation was observed between serum levels of sTNF-RI and tumour size (r=−0.622, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Decreased pre-operative serum levels of sTNF-RI are observed in women with cervical cancer. The results do not support that the use of sTNF-RI as a biochemical marker for cervical cancer.