Data from: Diagnostic and prognostic value of soluble syndecan-1 for pleural malignancies

Background. The distinction between malignant and benign pleural effusions
is a diagnostic challenge today and measuring soluble biomarkers could add
to the diagnostic accuracy. Syndecan-1 is a proteoglycan involved in
various cellular functions and is cleaved from the cell surface in a
regulated manner. The shed fragment, which can be recovered in effusion
supernatant and in serum, retains its binding capacities, but often with
different functions and signalling properties than the cell-bound form.
Aim. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value
of soluble syndecan-1 in pleural effusions and sera from patients with
pleural malignancies. Study Design. Using two cohorts of patients, we
assessed the diagnostic and prognostic value of soluble syndecan-1 in
pleural effusions and sera, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results. In pleural effusions, syndecan-1 distinguished malignant and
benign diseases, with an odds ratio of 8.59 (95% CI 3.67 to 20.09).
Furthermore, syndecan-1 in pleural effusions predicted a survival
difference for patients with pleural metastatic disease and malignant
mesothelioma of 11.2 and 9.2 months, respectively. However, no such
effects were seen when syndecan-1 was measured in serum. Conclusion.
Soluble syndecan-1 is a promising candidate biomarker for the
cytopathological diagnosis and prognostication of malignant pleural
effusions.