The value of FGF9 as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Issue 1 (4th December 2019) - Cui, Genggang
Abstract: Background: Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of cancers. However, its clinic significance in prostate cancer (PCa) had not yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of FGF9 in PCa. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analyses were used to detect the expression of serum FGF9 at mRNA and protein level in 90 PCa patients, 48 prostatic benign diseases (PBD) patients and 30 normal individuals. The association between FGF9 and clinicopathological features was determined by Chi-square test. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) was established to evaluate the diagnostic performance of FGF9 and PSA. Results: Serum FGF9 expression was significantly elevated in PCa patients ( p < .001) and was obviously decreased after surgery ( p < .001). FGF9 expression was also associated with lymph node metastasis ( p = .010). The diagnostic value of FGF9 was higher than the conventional tumor marker PSA with a AUC of 0.846 combined with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 81.1%. Conclusions: Serum FGF9 may be employed as a potential diagnostic biomarker of PCa.