CONTEXT: The axon guidance cues netrin-1 is a secreted protein overexpressed in 
many different cancer tissues.
OBJECTIVES: To determine whether plasma netrin-1 can be used as a diagnostic 
biomarker of human cancer.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 300 cancer plasma samples from breast, renal, 
prostate, liver, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, glioblastoma, lung, pancreatic 
and colon cancer patients were compared against 138 control plasma samples. 
Netrin-1 levels were quantified by ELISA and immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS: Plasma netrin-1 levels were significantly increased in breast, renal, 
prostate, liver, meningioma, pituitary adenoma, and glioblastoma cancers as 
compared to control samples.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that plasma netrin-1 can be used 
as a diagnostic biomarker for many human cancers.