Abstract / Summary
Background: Gastric cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, emphasising the need for reliable bio-markers for prognosis and treatment monitoring. This study evaluates serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM), cancer markers (CA125, CEA), and other biomarkers (MRP-14, SDF-1, FSP-1, CXCR4) in gastric cancer patients after treatment.
Methods: 100 gastric cancer patients were randomised into two treatment groups: oxaliplatin plus capecitabine (reference) and the SOX regimen (oxaliplatin plus S-1; observation). Serum biomarker levels were measured before and after treatment using flow cytometry and enzyme immunoassays. Clinical efficacy, immune response, and chemotherapy-related toxicity were analysed.
Results: The SOX regimen demonstrated superior clinical efficacy, with higher objective response (76% vs. 62%) and disease control rates (94% vs. 86%) compared to oxaliplatin monotherapy. The SOX group exhibited significantly higher post-treatment levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM and increased CD 3+, CD 4+, and NK cell counts. Tumour marker levels (CA125, CEA, MRP-14, SDF-1, FSP-1, CXCR4) were lower in the SOX group, with fewer chemotherapy-related adverse effects.
Conclusions: The SOX regimen enhances immune function, reduces tumour markers, and improves treatment outcomes compared to oxaliplatin monotherapy. Serum bio-markers may be valuable for monitoring therapeutic responses in gastric cancer patients. However, the study's small sample size and retrospective design limit the generalizability of the findings. Further studies are necessary to confirm these results and validate the prognostic value of serum biomarkers.