Correlation of Some Tumor Markers Between Serum and Saliva of Patients with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer, which affects 36% of all female oncological patients, is the most frequent cancer in the world among women. Since routine laboratory evaluation of serum can be stressful for patients, it is critical to comprehend the features and limitations of salivary test methods in order to achieve an accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. The purpose of the study is to evaluate and correlate tumor markers that are present in the serum and saliva of both healthy controls and breast cancer patients. This cross-sectional study recruited Jordanian females including 40 breast cancer patients and 20 control individuals in Al Basheer Hospital, Amman, Jordan. Data was collected using a questionnaire and laboratory examinations of serum and unstimulated saliva samples. Statistical analyses were performed by PRISM software. To analyze tumor biomarkers (Carcinoembryonic antigen, cancer antigen 15-3, cancer antigen 125, and Alpha-fetoprotein). Pearson's correlation coefficient and One-way ANOVA. Moreover, Python static analysis tools were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers, using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. All tumor biomarkers showed a significant elevation in breast cancer compared to controls in serum and saliva. CEA appeared robust positive correlations between two biofluid levels in breast cancer patients. CA15-3 represented the optimal Area Under the Curve values. Biomarkers could be useful bioindicators for breast cancer. However, the correlation between two biofluids of CEA levels suggested a reliable diagnosis for BC patients. CA15-3 demonstrated perfect diagnostic performance with an AUC value.