Журнал молекулярных биомаркеров и диагностики

GDF15 and Hepcidin as Prognostic Factors in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Franca Julia Winand, Martin Boegemann, Inka Gallitz, Lothar Hertle, Axel Semjonow, Maria Eveslage, Hugo Karel Van Aken, Edwin Herrmann and Andrea Ulrike Steinbicker

Background: Prostate Cancer (PCa) is a frequent malignancy worldwide. Prognosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is diverse with 80% not life-threatening even if untreated. In contrast, 20% are aggressive with short course of the disease. Hence the need for prognostic markers to predict aggressiveness, patients’ outcome, and efficacy of treatment is increasing.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed serum and demographic data from 38 PCa-patients. Serum growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), hepcidin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured.

Results: Serum GDF15 levels were higher in metastatic castration-resistant PCa patients with rapid disease progression than in metastatic PCa patients with slow disease progression. There was a trend to higher serum hepcidin - but not IL-6 - serum levels in patients with rapid disease progression than in slow disease progression. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) correlated with serum GDF15 and hepcidin levels. Serum GDF15 levels correlated with serum hepcidin levels. The height of serum GDF15 and hepcidin levels correlated with survival of patients in months. Increase of 25 ng/ml serum hepcidin predicted an increase in mortality by 10%.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the current manuscript supports the use of serum GDF15 and serum hepcidin measurements as prognostic markers in PCa.