Short summary

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths. Early detection may improve the prognosis. Proteases and other proteins are aberrantly regulated in cancer patients and may therefore be useful for lung cancer detection. This prospective cohort study aims to investigate protease activity and other biomarkers for detecting lung cancer in patients referred for diagnostic work-up at the Department of Medicine, Vejle.

Rationale

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide, partly because it is often detected in an advanced stage. The most feasible means of improving the mortality is earlier detection when the disease has not spread and cure is possible. Proteases are enzymes contributing to the regulation of the extracellular matrix. These enzymes show aberrant activity in cancer patients, and they may therefore be useful for lung cancer detection. Other proteins are also known to be abnormally regulated with a distinct pattern in cancer patients compared to healthy individuals. These patterns may be detectable by a novel method utilizing aptamers. Tumor cells shed DNA into the circulation, which may be detected by sensitive methods such as digital PCR. The aim of the study is to investigate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of a variety of biomarkers in subjects referred for lung cancer diagnostics: - Protease activity. - Aptamers. - Circulating tumor DNA.

Description of the cohort

Patients referred for diagnostic work-up on suspicion of lung cancer at the Fast-track outpatient clinic at the Department of Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle

Data and biological material

Data: Demographic and clinical data. Biological sample: Blood.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Medicine, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle

• Ole Hilberg
• Morten Borg

Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Lillebaelt Hospital Vejle

• Line Nederby
• Rikke Fredslund Andersen

Publications associated with the project

Dempsey PW, Sandu CM, Gonzalezirias R, Hantula S, Covarrubias-Zambrano O, Bossmann SH, Nagji AS, Veeramachaneni NK, Ermerak NO, Kocakaya D, Lacin T, Yildizeli B, Lilley P, Wen SWC, Nederby L, Hansen TF, Hilberg O. Description of an activity-based enzyme biosensor for lung cancer detection. Commun Med (Lond). 2024 Mar 5;4(1):37.