AN ASSOCIATION OF SERUM HAPTOGLOBLIN WITH SOME MARKERS OF INFLAMMATION IN POST DIAGNOSTIC BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Abstract

Changes in serum Haptoglobulin is associated with poor prognosis in many malignant diseases. This study aimed at evaluating the serum haptoglobin and markers of inflammation in post-diagnostic breast cancer patients. A total of 50 subjects were recruited for the study. Twenty were post-diagnostic breast cancer patients attending cancer clinic at Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Nigeria while 30 were apparently healthy subjects age-matched with breast cancer and served as the control. The 50 subjects were within the age of 25-60 years.   Serum samples obtained from the participants were used for the analysis of serum haptoglobin using the immune-assay technique.  C-reactive protein was determined using the latex-enhanced nephelometry method, while ESR was determined using Westergren method. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and results were expressed as mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD). The difference in mean values between groups was assessed by student t-test. Tests with a probability value of P< 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The mean value of haptoglobin was significantly increased (p=0.000) in post diagnostic breast cancer patients (1224.02±109.18 µg/ml) when compared to controls (693.59±165.11 µg/ml). The mean value of CRP was significantly increased (p=0.000) in post diagnostic breast cancer patients (5.25±0.61 mg/L) when compared to controls (1.98±0.23 mg/L). The mean value of ESR was significantly increased (p=0.000) in post diagnostic breast cancer patients (89.00±16.08 mm/hr) when compared to controls (7.47±2.12 mm/hr). Results show Breast cancer is associated with significant elevated levels of haptogloblin, C-reactive protein and ESR. This indicates a positive association between Breast cancer and haptogloblin, which is predictive of poor disease outcome and survival in   breast cancer.

Keywords: haptogloblin, markers, inflammation, diagnostic, breast cancer