Can NGAL be employed as prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in human cancers? A systematic review of current evidence

 Because of its small molecular size and resistance to degradation, NGAL is readily excreted and detected in the urine

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abstract:
Can NGAL be employed as prognostic and diagnostic biomarker in human cancers? A systematic review of current evidence
 

BACKGROUND:

Some studies have reported differentially altered neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels in several malignancies. We evaluated NGAL measured in plasma or urine as both prognostic and diagnostic marker for different types of human tumors.

RESULTS:

We included 35 studies dedicated to colorectal, pancreas, breast, thyroid, gastric, kidney, endometrial, brain, liver, lung, esophageal, oral and ovarian cancers......

CONCLUSIONS:

NGAL determination in plasma and urine could be useful in the prognosis of colorectal and breast cancer, but its prognostic accuracy remains uncertain for other human tumors.