Correlation of serum NFкB levels with neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet -lymphocyte ratio in breast cancer patients

Abstract

Objective: The main objective of this study was to analyze the serum levels of Nuclear factor-kappa B (NFкB) in breast cancer as compared to age-matched healthy individuals. It also aimed to investigate variations in NFкB levels across stages, types of breast cancer and also its correlation with Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR). Methodology: Blood samples of 40 female breast cancer patients and 33 healthy controls were collected in anticoagulant and plain tubes. Hematological parameters were evaluated with an automatic analyzer, and NFкB levels were measured using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed with GraphPad Prism 8 software. Results: Significant elevation of serum NFкB levels (p < 0.0001) was observed in breast cancer patients when compared to the healthy females. Subtype analysis indicated higher NFкB levels in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), suggesting a potential role in the aggressiveness of this subtype. Correlation analysis with hematological parameters, including NLR and PLR, showed weak associations. However, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated the promising role of NFкB as a diagnostic biomarker for breast cancer with a sensitivity of 75 % and specificity of 74.8 % at a cutoff value of 0.447 ng/ml. Conclusion: Serum NFκB levels were significantly elevated in breast cancer patients when compared to healthy individuals, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic biomarker for the disease. While weak correlations were observed with hematological parameters like NLR, and PLR in breast cancer patients, the study highlights the promising diagnostic potential of NFκB and its significant association with breast cancer.

Keywords

• NFкB
• Breast cancer
• Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio
• Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio
• ELISA
• Biomarker