Despite recent advances, neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) remain a challenging topic, due to their diversity and the lack of suitable biomarkers. Multianalyte assays and the shift to an omics-based approach improve on the conventional single-analyte strategy, albeit with their own drawbacks. We explored the potential of serum β-hCG as a biomarker for NETs and discussed its role in disease monitoring. We recruited 40 patients with non-functioning pancreatic NETs, all with liver metastases. Serum β-hCG concentrations were measured at 3-month intervals over 48 months. We performed a comparative and a repeated measures analysis of β-hCG depending on WHO grade (G1, G2), liver tumor burden (LTB; below 10%, 10–25%), and RECIST 1.1. (stable disease, progressive disease). Patients with progressive disease (p< 0.001), 10–25% LTB (p< 0.001) and WHO Grade 2 (p< 0.001) displayed higher β-hCG concentrations. Throughout the study, β-hCG concentrations consistently increased across the entire cohort. Delta β-hCG during the study period was greater in patients with 10–25% LTB (p< 0.001), progressive disease (p< 0.001), and G2 (p= 0.003). Serum β-hCG correlates with established indicators of malignancy and disease progression in metastatic NETs, supporting further studies as a monitoring and prognostic biomarker. Despite promising results from novel biomarkers, there is still a place for single-analyte assays in NETs.
尽管近期取得进展，神经内分泌肿瘤因其多样性和缺乏合适的生物标志物，仍是一个具有挑战性的课题。多分析物检测和向组学方法的转变改进了传统的单分析物策略，尽管它们自身也存在缺点。我们探讨了血清β-hCG作为神经内分泌肿瘤生物标志物的潜力，并讨论了其在疾病监测中的作用。我们招募了40例无功能性胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤患者，均伴有肝转移。在48个月内每3个月测量一次血清β-hCG浓度。我们根据WHO分级（G1、G2）、肝肿瘤负荷（低于10%、10–25%）和RECIST 1.1标准（疾病稳定、疾病进展）对β-hCG进行了比较分析和重复测量分析。疾病进展（p<0.001）、肝肿瘤负荷10–25%（p<0.001）和WHO 2级（p<0.001）的患者显示出更高的β-hCG浓度。在整个研究期间，整个队列的β-hCG浓度持续增加。研究期间Δβ-hCG在肝肿瘤负荷10–25%（p<0.001）、疾病进展（p<0.001）和G2级（p=0.003）的患者中更高。血清β-hCG与转移性神经内分泌肿瘤中已确立的恶性肿瘤和疾病进展指标相关，支持其作为监测和预后生物标志物的进一步研究。尽管新型生物标志物显示出有希望的结果，但单分析物检测在神经内分泌肿瘤中仍占有一席之地。
Serum β-hCG as a Biomarker in Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Rethinking Single-Analyte Approach
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家