Gastric cancer detection using the serum pepsinogen test method

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the eighth most common cause of cancer deaths in Croatia and one of the most common causes of cancer deaths worldwide. A reliable diagnostic tool for the early detection of GC is essential. Objective: We previously suggested a pepsinogen test method to reduce the mortality from GC by allowing early detection. Here, we report an updated analysis from a prospective single-center clinical study to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the pepsinogen test method and to determine whether this test can be used as a part of routine laboratory assessment of high-risk patients. Methods: We present mature data of the pepsinogen test method in the Croatian population after a median follow-up of 36 months. Statistical analyses were performed using a Mann-Whitney U test, multiple logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) to evaluate the predictive power of the assayed biomarkers. Results: Of the 116 patients, 25 patients had GC and 91 demonstrated a nonmalignant pathology based on tissue biopsy. Cutoff values were pepsinogen I <= 70 and pepsinogen I/II ratio <= 3.0. Using ROC curve analysis, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were determined to be 87.22%, 78.12%, 90.10%, 71.43%, and 92.86%, respectively, for the diagnosis of GC. The area under the curve was 0.700 (95% confidence interval 0.57-0.83). Conclusion: Pepsinogen tests are valuable for screening a population in need of further diagnosis and could help to avoid unnecessary invasive endoscopic procedures.