Evaluation of Interferon-Gamma, Vitamin E, and Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride) Levels as Potential Biomarkers in Iraqi Breast Cancer Women

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the potential of interferon-gamma, vitamin E, and electrolyte levels (sodium, potassium, and chloride) as biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted at the Oncology Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Baghdad, and included 130 female participants who ranged in age from 30 to 71 years. The blood samples were collected between May 13, 2024, and August 11, 2024.Methods: The levels of interferon-gamma, vitamin E, and electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride) were measured in the serum of the participants using appropriate laboratory techniques. The data obtained were then analyzed to identify any significant differences among the three groups. The results demonstrated that interferon-gamma levels were significantly elevated in both the newly diagnosed group (G1) and the chemotherapy-treated group (G2) when compared to the control group (C). Additionally, a decrease in vitamin E levels was observed in the newly diagnosed group (G1) compared to the treated group (G2) and the control group (C). The electrolyte analysis revealed a significant reduction in sodium and chloride levels in the newly diagnosed group (G1) compared to the other two groups, while potassium levels were significantly elevated in the newly diagnosed group (G1) compared to both the treated and control groups Furthermore, the ROC analysis showed that interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) demonstrated high sensitivity (93.33%) and specificity (62.50%), making it a strong marker for cancer detection. Sodium (Na) exhibited exceptional diagnostic performance with 100% sensitivity and specificity. Similarly, chloride (Cl) showed excellent results, with 100% sensitivity and 88.89% specificity. In contrast, vitamin E exhibited lower sensitivity (51.11%) but demonstrated high specificity (92.50%). The findings suggest that interferon-gamma, vitamin E, and electrolyte levels, specifically sodium, potassium, and chloride, could be significant biomarkers for differentiating between newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and healthy individuals.