Evaluation of Serum Biomarkers (FGF-2, HGF, MIF and PTN) in Patients With Testicular Germ Cell Cancer

FGF-2, HGF, MIF and PTN have been suggested as biomarkers for testicular germ cell cancer patients in earlier studies. Our study was designed to validate these potential novel tumor markers. Serum FGF-2, HGF, MIF and PTN levels were analysed using an ELISA technique in a screening cohort of 20 testicular germ cell cancer patients and 10 healthy men. MIF levels were measured in a validation cohort of 84 patients with testicular cancer, 24 with non-malignant testicular tumors and 64 healthy men. Serum FGF-2, HGF and PTN levels did not differ in cancer patients and healthy males within the screening cohort, whereas MIF was significantly increased among cancer patients. Within the validation cohort, a modest but insignificant increase of serum MIF was observed in TGCT patients compared to healthy men. MIF levels were not correlated with adverse clinical-pathological parameters. FGF-2, HGF, MIF and PTN are not suitable as non-invasive biomarkers for testicular germ cell cancer patients.