Plasma S100A9 Levels in Healthy Individuals, Opisthorchis viverrini-Infected Individuals, and Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma

Danchaivijitr, Piyaluk; Pholhelm, Montinee; Prasopdee, Sattrachai; Butthongkomvong, Kritiya; Kulsantiwong, Jutharat; Phanaksri, Teva; Kunjantarachot, Anthicha; Thitapakorn, Veerachai

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.7.2491

Plasma S100A9 Levels in Healthy Individuals, Opisthorchis viverrini-Infected Individuals, and Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.

² Thammasat Research Unit in Opisthorchiasis, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Neglected Parasitic Diseases, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.

³ Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.

⁴ Medical Oncology Unit, Udonthani Cancer Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Udon Thani, Thailand.

⁵ Faculty of Science, Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Udon Thani, 41000, Thailand

10.31557/APJCP.2026.27.7.2491

Abstract

Objectives: S100A9, a calcium-binding protein involved in inflammation and tumor progression, has been identified as a potential biomarker for Opisthorchis viverrini related cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) diagnosis. However, its role in O. viverrini infection remains unclear. Methods: ELISA was used to investigate the plasma S100A9 level among healthy individuals, O. viverrini-infected patients, and CCA patients to evaluate its potential as a diagnostic biomarker. The highest S100A9 levels were observed in CCA patients, while the lowest levels occurred in O. viverrini-infected individuals. Results: One-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc analysis revealed a significant difference between the O. viverrini infected and CCA groups, but not between the CCA and healthy groups or between the healthy and O. viverrini infected groups. S100A9 had high specificity (97.50%) but low sensitivity (21.88%) for distinguishing CCA from O. viverrini infected and healthy groups, suggesting limited utility as a standalone screening tool but potential value in diagnostic contexts. Although limited by diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.5580), the consistent upregulation trend in CCA aligns with previous studies. Combining S100A9 with other biomarkers may enhance diagnostic accuracy for O. viverrini-related CCA. Conclusion: S100A9 was elevated in CCA but not in O. viverrini infection, highlighting its potential as a differential diagnostic marker.

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