Diagnostic value of combining CA 19-9 and K-ras gene mutation in pancreatic carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Aims: To assess diagnostic value of Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), combined CA 19-9 and K-ras mutation in plasma DNA in diagnosing patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

Materials and methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Sinomed, CNKI and other databases, from established to November, 2013, were searched for initial studies. All the studies published in English or Chinese relating to the diagnostic value of CA 19-9 and K-ras gene mutation for patients with pancreatic cancer were collected. Methodological quality was assessed. The statistic software called "Meta-disc" (version 1.4) was used for data analysis.

Results: 10 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity estimate for CA 19-9 (78%) was significantly higher than K-ras mutation (65%). While, for the specificity estimate, K-ras mutation (93%) was significantly higher than CA 19-9 (77%). The pooled DOR estimate for K-ras mutation (21.82) was significantly higher than CA 19-9 (18.36). SROC curves for K-ras mutation showed better diagnostic accuracy than CA 19-9. For CA 19-9 measurement, its diagnostic value decreased in differentiating pancreatic cancer for patients with pancreatitis, especially chronic process.

Conclusion: CA 19-9 was a high sensitive and K-ras was a high specific method in diagnosing patients with pancreatic cancer. These two modalities probably act different roles during different conditions in diagnosing pancreatic carcinoma.