STK1p as a prognostic biomarker for overall survival in non-small-cell lung carcinoma, based on real-world data

Aim: A prospective investigation of serum thymidine kinase 1 concentration (STK1p) was performed to evaluate its prognostic value in patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLCs). Patients & methods: The STK1p values of 127 patients were determined by an enhanced chemiluminescent dot blot assay. The patients were recruited from March 2011 to December 2017. Results: Kaplan-Meier plot showed that patients with elevated STK1p values had worse overall survival (OS), especially patients of early/middle stages. Multi-variable COX regression showed that STK1p value and combined treatment surgery + chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for favorable OS. Conclusion: STK1p is helpful in predicting OS of early/middle stages (I-IIIA) NSCLCs patients following a nonrandomized individual adapted treatment, but is may be not recommended in advanced stages (IIIB + IV) of NSCLCs. Lay abstract: Lung cancer is one of the most common types of tumors, with a high mortality rate. We investigate if thymidine kinase 1 in serum (STK1p) is a reliable prognostic marker for survival in non-small-cell lung carcinoma. We recruited 127 patients in this study. STK1p level was determined using a high-sensitive chemiluminescent dot blot assay. Patients with elevated STK1p values had worse overall survival, especially patients in the early/middle cancer stages. Analysis showed that STK1p is an independent prognostic factors for overall survival. We concluded that STK1p is helpful predicting the efficacy of treatment in non-small-cell lung carcinoma for those in the early/middle stages.