Serological antibodies against LY6K as a diagnostic biomarker in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic values of autoantibodies against lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus K (LY6K) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods: After cloning, expressing, and purifying LY6K as fusion proteins, LY6K autoantibodies were measured in 62 patient and 58 control serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the LY6K mRNA levels in ESCC and adjacent tissues.Results: LY6K autoantibodies were found significantly higher in patients than controls. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was 0.85, and the optimal sensitivity and specificity for ESCC detection were 80.6 and 78.7%, respectively. LY6K mRNA expressions in patients were upregulated.Conclusions: Autoantibodies against LY6K may be a good diagnostic biomarker for ESCC.