Serum anti-60s ribosomal protein L29 antibody as a novel prognostic marker for unresectable pancreatic cancer

Background/Aims: Recently, we found the presence of anti-60S ribosomal protein L29 antibody (anti-RPL29) in human sera, inhibiting the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. We aimed to estimate the association of serum anti-RPL29 levels with clinical features in patients affected with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 105 patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer. Serum anti-RPL29 levels were measured by the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The cut-off was represented by the 95th percentile in 62 healthy volunteers. Results: Median survival time (MST) was 11.1 months in 49 patients showing serum anti-RPL29 level >cut-off and 7.4 months in 56 patients showing serum anti-RPL29 level ≤cut-off. In locally advanced disease, MST was 17.9 months in 22 patients showing serum anti-RPL29 level >cut-off and 10.0 months in 19 patients showing serum anti-RPL29 level ≤cut-off. In metastatic disease, MST was 8.7 months in 27 patients showing serum anti-RPL29 level >cut-off and 5.9 months in 37 patients showing serum anti-RPL29 level ≤cut-off. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, serum anti-RPL29 level >cut-off, abdominal or back pain, performance status, and metastatic disease were identified as independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: Serum anti-RPL29 levels may be a novel candidate for a prognostic marker for unresectable pancreatic cancer.