Diagnostic value of the wnt target and cancer-associated blood biomarker hPG80: ONCOPRO case-control prospective study.

Abstract

Background: hPG₈₀ (circulating progastrin), initially recognized for its oncogenic properties due to its direct link to the Wnt signaling pathway, is secreted by cancer cells and detectable in the blood of cancer patients. The ONCOPRO centralized case-control study (NCT03787056) was designed to prospectively evaluate the diagnostic utility of hPG₈₀ in patients with 16 different types of cancer.

Methods: hPG₈₀ levels were measured in 421 patients with 16 newly diagnosed cancers (median age 65.6 years old) using the DxPG80.Lab kit (Biodena Care). The diagnostic performance of hPG₈₀ (the primary endpoint) was assessed by comparing baseline hPG₈₀ levels in cancer patients with those of 330 asymptomatic aged-matched healthy subjects from the general population.

Results: Between 2018 and 2022, a total of 506 cancer patients were enrolled in the study, with 421 assessable across 16 distinct cancer cohorts. hPG₈₀ concentrations were significantly higher in cancer patients compared to the healthy population (median 3.8 [IQR: 1.0-11.1] vs. 1.9 [IQR: 0.6-4.2] pM, P < 0.0001). hPG80 levels were not impacted by renal failure, liver dysfunction, or cancer-associated inflammation. The diagnostic accuracy in cancer patients was ROC AUC 0.63, 95% CI = [0.59-0.67]. The highest diagnostic accuracy was seen in patients with lung cancer (AUC 0.75, 95% CI [0.68-0.82]; specificity = 88% for hPG₈₀ > 7.73 pM in patients aged > 58 years old) and hepatocellular carcinoma HCC (ROC AUC 0.75, 95% CI [0.66-083]; specificity = 88% for hPG₈₀ > 7.73 pM in patients aged > 58 years old).

Conclusions: This large prospective study confirms that cancer patients have significantly higher hPG₈₀ blood concentration compared to the healthy population. Incorporating this straightforward ELISA assay into screening programs is warranted.

Trial registration: NCT03787056.