Study of Biomarkers in Cancer Patients Treated with Radiotherapy: A Case-control Study

Introduction: Blood based biomarkers can be useful as prognostic markers because these biomarkers can reflect variations in the tumour microenvironment and the immune system of the host. This study investigates some biomarkers in cancer patients experienced with radiotherapy to evaluate the effect of radiotherapy on the body. Aim: To assess radiotherapy induced changes in the biomarkers like serum total protein, albumin, creatinine and urea in cancer patients and compare to the healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study, conducted in the Biochemistry Department, Baroda Medical College, Gujarat, India, from October 2017 to August 2018. This study enrolled 537 patients, who underwent radiation therapy irrespective of any cancer and 537 healthy controls without any history of cancer or radiation therapy. Serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, and urea were measured. Statistical analysis was performed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Frequency, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). Results: In each of the groups, out of 537 subjects 185 subjects were females, 61.30±9.03 years was the mean age for females, and 352 subjects were males with a mean age of 61.02±8.93 years. Albumin had negative statistically significant correlation with all parameters. But total protein which was also composed of other acute phase positive reactants had higher values compared to control group which was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: It was found that patients with cancer, undergoing radiotherapy, suffered from radiation induced changes such as acute phase response, host defense mechanism etc., causing changes in the body which is reflected by biomarkers.