Detection of Early Breast Cancer Beyond Mammographic Screening: a Promising Biomarker Panel

We assessed the suitability of a biomarker panel to improve early detection and individual risk assessment in breast cancer (BC) patients. PENK, pro-SP, hGH and CA15-3 of 204 BC patients and 68 healthy controls were measured. PENK and human growth hormone concentrations were significantly lower and pro-SP values higher in BC patients compared with controls. C-index increased from 0.628 for CA15-3 alone to 0.754 when all three biomarkers were added to the model. This biomarker panel may improve early detection of BC and influence the assessment of breast imaging. It might be useful for a risk-adapted cancer surveillance or primary prevention program by a more precise determination of an individualized BC risk.