N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS), Similar to Glycodelin, Is a Potential General Biomarker for Multiple Malignancies

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) as a new biomarker candidate for detecting lung cancer. Glycodelin or PAEP, the serum levels of which are known to be elevated in lung and other cancers, served as a benchmark for comparison. Patients and Methods: A total of 170 serum samples from healthy controls and patients with pneumonia, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer, and head and neck cancer were analyzed for the levels of GALNS and PAEP by ELISA. Results: The median serum levels of GALNS and PAEP in all cancer types as well as pneumonia patients were significantly higher than those of the healthy controls. Conclusion: In addition to previously known cancers, the median serum levels of PAEP were also found to be higher in liver and head and neck cancer patients. GALNS and PAEP are promising general biomarkers for multiple cancers and deserve further evaluation.