Serum p27, p53, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Alkaline Phosphatase as Candidate Biomarkers in Breast Cancer in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women, with a substantial burden in resource-limited settings where access to advanced diagnostic facilities may be constrained. Although p27 and p53 are important tumour suppressor proteins and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are routinely measurable biochemical parameters, evidence regarding their combined circulating profiles in breast cancer remains limited. Evaluating these markers may help clarify their potential value as accessible adjuncts in the assessment of breast cancer patients. Aims: To evaluate selected tumour suppressor biomarkers and biochemical parameters in breast cancer patients attending Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria, February–July 2026. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional design was employed. A total of 140 participants (70 breast cancer subjects and 70 apparently healthy controls, aged 20–80 years) were recruited. Serum p27, p53, LDH and ALP were measured using ELISA and spectrophotometry. As the data were not normally distributed, they were analysed using the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H tests, with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc comparisons and multiple linear regression, at P=.05. Results: Breast cancer patients had significantly higher p27 (366.69±146.91 vs 273.30±61.90 pg/mL, P=.001), LDH (62.28±2.69 vs 60.03±1.89 IU/L, P=.001) and ALP (176.71±117.05 vs 117.80±35.96 IU/L, P=.001) than controls; p53 did not differ significantly (211.39±189.16 vs 156.23±102.97 pg/mL, P=.510). LDH varied significantly across cancer stages (P=.009), with the Stage I versus Stage IV comparison remaining significant after Bonferroni correction (P=.007). Cancer duration and treatment regimen independently predicted p53 (R²=0.158, P=.046); no other regression model reached significance. Conclusion: Serum p27, LDH and ALP distinguished breast cancer subjects from controls in this cohort, while p53 showed limited discriminatory value. LDH was also associated with cancer stage. Larger studies are needed to validate these findings.