Evaluation of advanced glycation end product and antibodies against oxidized low-density lipoproteins levels in patients with neuroendocrine tumors based on tumor location

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are recognized as a heterogeneous group of tumors derived from neuroendocrine cells present in multiple organ systems. The importance of early and precise detection of NENs for effective treatment outcomes is well-understood. Biochemical markers such as antibodies against oxidatively modified low-density lipoproteins (anti-oxLDLs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) could be correlated with the presence and type of these tumors.In this study, an attempt was made to assess the levels of anti-oxLDLs and AGEs in patients diagnosed with NENs, with a tumors located in the lung and pancreas. A total of 20 patients were studied, equally divided between pancreatic NENs (P-NENs) and lung NENs (L-NENs). Venous blood samples from these patients were collected and processed to obtain serum. The levels of anti-ox-LDLs and AGEs were then quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results were presented as mean values with the standard error of the mean (SEM), and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to denote statistical significance. In the findings, anti-oxLDL levels in the P-NEN group were found to average at 6649.000 ± 1445.922 U/mL, while those in the L-NEN group were 5283.000 ± 1016.513 U/mL. A significant difference between these groups was not observed. On the other hand, a significant variation in AGE concentrations was noted: 898.509 ± 27.382 ng/mL for P-NEN patients compared to 763.106 ± 55.143 ng/mL for L-NEN patients. In conclusion, this preliminary findings suggest that AGE concentrations could be a potential biomarker for distinguishing between pancreatic and lung NENs.