The association between human cytomegalovirus infection and serum midkine levels with progression of gastric carcinoma

Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the third most common cause of cancer-related fatalities worldwide. One of the human viruses that has received the most research is the cytomegalovirus (CMV), which may occasionally induce gastritis, especially in people with an impaired immune system. It is uncertain whether CMV gastritis aids in the growth of stomach cancer. This study was performed to assess the relationship between CMV DNA and serum midkine (S-MK) levels in patients with stomach cancer of the adenocarcinoma subtype. A total of 120 serum samples were collected, including 45 (37.5%) samples of each GC and gastric precancerous lesions, and 30 (25%) of control samples. DNA was extracted from all the serum samples. Real-time PCR was performed to detect CMV DNA, and midkine levels were measured by ELISA. Thirty-five (29.2%) samples of GC, nine (7.5%) samples of gastric precancerous lesions, and five (4.2%) of control samples were positive for CMV DNA. Interestingly, there was a gradual increase in S-MK levels in GC patients (516.25 ± 150.86 pg/mL), followed by gastric lesions (189.72 ± 76.63 pg/mL) and then healthy controls (86.96 ± 83.95 pg/mL) (p= 0.001). Finally, it was determined that human CMV infection may be linked to the development or progression of GC and may correlate with serum midkine levels, which have excellent diagnostic value and can be used to track GC prognosis and aid physicians.

KEY WORDS: CMV; gastric cancer; gastric adenocarcinoma; gastric lesions; S-MK.