# Serum CXCL8 as a biomarker for predicting ALNM in breast cancer: Combined diagnostic value with tumor markers and ultrasound **Authors:** Jinxiang Hou, Ceng Li PMC · DOI: 10.5937/jomb0-58742 · Journal of Medical Biochemistry · 2025-11-05 ## TL;DR This study shows that serum CXCL8, combined with tumor markers and ultrasound, can effectively predict axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients. ## Contribution The novel contribution is the combined use of serum CXCL8, tumor markers, and ultrasound to improve ALNM prediction in breast cancer. ## Key findings - Serum CXCL8 levels were significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to healthy controls. - The combined model of CXCL8, tumor markers, and Adler grade achieved high sensitivity and specificity for predicting ALNM. - High CXCL8 expression is closely associated with axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. ## Abstract This study analysed the relationship between serum chemokine CXC ligand 8 (CXCL8) and axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer (BC), evaluating its predictive value when combined with tumour markers and ultrasound imaging. 121 BC patients and 104 healthy controls were included, and serum CXCL8 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to compare the differences in the levels of CXCL8 and tumour markers in the two study groups. Pathological examinations revealed that 36 of the patients had ALNM. To further evaluate the diagnostic value, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to analyse the ability of CXCL8, tumour marker and combined colour Doppler ultrasound blood flow richness grade (Adler grade) to assess ALNM in BC patients. Serum CXCL8 carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 153, and CA27.29 were higher in BC patients than in controls (P< 0.05). Patients with ALNM had higher levels of CXCL8, CEA, CA153, and CA27.29 (P< 0.05). The combined model (CXCL8 + tumour markers + Adler grade) achieved an AUC of 0.903 (95% CI: 0 .8 5 0 -0 .9 5 7 ), with 86.11% sensitivity and 82.35% specificity (P< 0.001). High expression of CXCL8 is closely associated with BC ALNM. ## Linked entities - **Proteins:** CXCL8 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8) - **Diseases:** breast cancer (MONDO:0004989) ## Full-text entities - **Genes:** NFKB1 (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1) [NCBI Gene 4790] {aka CVID12, EBP-1, KBF1, NF-kB, NF-kB1, NF-kappa-B1}, CXCL8 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8) [NCBI Gene 3576] {aka GCP-1, GCP1, IL8, LECT, LUCT, LYNAP}, EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) [NCBI Gene 1956] {aka ERBB, ERBB1, ERRP, HER1, NISBD2, NNCIS}, MUC1 (mucin 1, cell surface associated) [NCBI Gene 4582] {aka ADMCKD, ADMCKD1, ADTKD2, CA 15-3, CD227, Ca15-3}, IL6 (interleukin 6) [NCBI Gene 3569] {aka BSF-2, BSF2, CDF, HGF, HSF, IFN-beta-2}, MMP9 (matrix metallopeptidase 9) [NCBI Gene 4318] {aka CLG4B, GELB, MANDP2, MMP-9}, CEACAM3 (CEA cell adhesion molecule 3) [NCBI Gene 1084] {aka CD66D, CEA, CGM1, CGM1a, W264, W282} - **Diseases:** BC (MESH:D001943), triple-negative breast cancer (MESH:D064726), ALNM (MESH:D008207), ovarian cancer (MESH:D010051), lung cancer (MESH:D008175), cancer (MESH:D009369), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), metastasis (MESH:D009362), death (MESH:D003643), colorectal cancer (MESH:D015179) - **Chemicals:** carbohydrate antigen (CA) 153 (-) - **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606] ## Full text _Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12967176/full.md ## Figures 3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12967176/full.md ## References 17 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12967176/full.md --- Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12967176