%0 Journal Article
%T Serum YKL-40 Levels in Patients with Gastric Cancer
%A Veyis Itik
%A Ozgur Kemik
%A Ahu Kemik
%A A. Cumhur Dulger
%A Aziz S¨ımer
%A Yasemin Usul Soyoral
%A Huseyin Begenik
%A Sevim Purisa and Cetin Kotan
%J Biomarkers in Cancer
%D 2012
%I 
%R 10.4137/BIC.S7154
%X Aims and background: YKL-40 is secreted by several types of tumors. Increased serum YKL-40 levels have been reported in prostate, glioblastoma, breast and colorectal cancers. Determination of YKL-40 levels may serve as a valuable biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the serum YKL-40 levels expressed in gastric carcinomas. Methods: Between 2009 and 2011, we retrospectively reviewed 100 patients with gastric cancer and compared their serum samples to 75 healthy volunteers. YKL-40 levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: We found significantly higher serum levels of YKL-40 in patients with gastric cancer compared to the healthy population (P < 0.0001). We also found significant differences in serum YKL-40 levels between female and male patients with gastric cancer (P < 0.01). Conclusions: YKL-40 is over-expressed in gastric cancer, suggesting a more aggressive phenotype. YKL-40 may be a useful serum biomarker for gastric cancer identification, and future studies should focus on the role of YKL-40 in the tumorigenesis of gastric cancer and responsiveness toward treatment.
%U http://www.la-press.com/serum-ykl-40-levels-in-patients-with-gastric-cancer-article-a2628