Diagnostic value of serum fibrin degradation complex DR-70 combined with conventional tumor biomarkers in colorectal cancer.

Objective: Most patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) show no early symptoms, and tumor markers have low sensitivity and specificity. We therefore investigated the ability of serum fibrin degradation complex DR-70 plus traditional tumor markers to diagnose CRC.

Methods: We retrospectively screened patients with CRC or non-malignant colorectal diseases, as well as healthy individuals, for inclusion in this study. The individuals' clinical characteristics were recorded, and serum samples were collected. Expression levels of DR-70 and conventional tumor markers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence.

Results: DR-70 levels differed significantly among patients with CRC, patients with benign colorectal diseases, and healthy individuals. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified DR-70 as a conventional tumor marker with the highest sensitivity and the second-highest specificity after carcinoembryonic antigen.

Conclusions: This study identified DR-70 as a reliable marker for the detection, differentiation, and progression of CRC, with good sensitivity and specificity. DR-70 measurement could greatly improve the efficacy of CRC diagnosis when used together with other tumor markers.