Noor F, Saif Ur Rehman M, Ambreen UE, Sattar T. Early detection of pancreatic cancer by evaluating combined serum biomarker: The key questions. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(7): 115270 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i7.115270]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Umme E Ambreen, MBBS, CMH Institute of Medical Sciences, DHA Sector D, Bahawalpur 63100, Punjab, Pakistan. ummeambreen548@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Article-Type of This Article
review-article
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Baishideng Publishing Group Inc, 7041 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 160, Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA
Share the Article
Noor F, Saif Ur Rehman M, Ambreen UE, Sattar T. Early detection of pancreatic cancer by evaluating combined serum biomarker: The key questions. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2026; 18(7): 115270 [DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i7.115270]
World J Gastrointest Oncol. Jul 15, 2026; 18(7): 115270 Published online Jul 15, 2026. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v18.i7.115270
Early detection of pancreatic cancer by evaluating combined serum biomarker: The key questions
Fatima Noor, Muhammad Saif Ur Rehman, Umme E Ambreen, Tayyeba Sattar
Fatima Noor, Umme E Ambreen, Tayyeba Sattar, CMH Institute of Medical Sciences, Bahawalpur 63100, Punjab, Pakistan
Muhammad Saif Ur Rehman, Gomal Medical College, MTI Dera Ismail Khan, Dera Ismail Khan 29111, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Co-first authors: Fatima Noor and Muhammad Saif Ur Rehman.
Co-corresponding authors: Umme E Ambreen and Tayyeba Sattar.
Author contributions: Noor F and Saif Ur Rehman M were responsible for selected the topic, conducted the literature review, wrote and elaborated the manuscript, and edited all sections, performed final critical revisions, ensured coherence and readability as co-first authors; Ambreen UE and Sattar T were responsible for conceived and conceptualized the idea, elaborated and helped in writing the manuscript, edited all sections, coordinated the submission, provided input on the topic and manuscript editing as co-corresponding authors; all of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
AI contribution statement: The authors declare that ChatGPT (AI language model by OpenAI) was used in the preparation of this manuscript. All AI-generated content was critically reviewed, edited, and verified by the authors to ensure accuracy, originality, and compliance with scientific standards. The AI tool was used solely for drafting assistance and language improvement. It was not used for data analysis, study design, or interpretation of results. All scientific content, conclusions, and intellectual contributions are the responsibility of the authors. No images or figures in this manuscript were generated using AI tools.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Umme E Ambreen, MBBS, CMH Institute of Medical Sciences, DHA Sector D, Bahawalpur 63100, Punjab, Pakistan. ummeambreen548@gmail.com
Received: October 15, 2025 Revised: November 28, 2025 Accepted: January 26, 2026 Published online: July 15, 2026 Processing time: 267 Days and 19.5 Hours
Abstract
Rapid progression, late diagnosis, and poor prognosis are the factors that make pancreatic cancer highly lethal. Due to the lack of sensitive noninvasive screening tools, early detection is becoming challenging. This study demonstrates the diagnostic potential of the classical tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 19-9 with newer inflammatory markers (carcinoembryonic antigen, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, chitinase-3-like protein-1) in combination in 51 pancreatic cancer patients and 51 matched healthy controls. It suggests potential utility in early detection by the multi-marker panel that stated higher sensitivity and specificity than single biomarkers. Limitations include small sample size, single-center design, absence of independent validation, and use of healthy rather than clinically relevant disease controls. There was no search of relationships between biomarkers and pre-analytical variability. These outcomes state that non-invasive early detection of pancreatic cancer may be improved by a combined biomarker approach. For confirming these results and guiding clinical application, larger, multi center, prospective studies are needed.
Core Tip: For survival, early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is crucial. However, it remains difficult due to its vague clinical presentation. In the early detection of pancreatic cancer, this study investigates the clinical utility of serum tumor markers, including carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen. The diagnostic accuracy can be enhanced by combined analysis of these biomarkers which helps in timely intervention and improving patient outcomes.
