Prognostic value of creatine kinase (CK)-MB to total-CK ratio in colorectal cancer patients after curative resection

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic significance of postoperative Creatine Kinase type M and B (CK-MB) to total Creatine Kinase (CK) ratio (CK-MB/CK) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after radical resection. Methods This was a single-center retrospective cohort analysis. Subjects were stage I-III CRC patients hospitalized in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to May 2021. Patients were divided into abnormal group and normal group according to whether the CK-MB/CK ratio was abnormal after surgery. Through a comparative analysis of clinical data, laboratory test results, and prognosis differences between the two groups, we aimed to uncover the potential relationship between abnormal CK-MB > CK results and CRC patients. To gauge the impact of CK-MB/CK on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), we employed the multivariable COX regression and LASSO regression analysis. Additionally, Spearman correlation analysis, logistic regression, and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were conducted to assess the predictive value of the CK-MB/CK ratio for postoperative liver metastasis. Results Cox regression analysis revealed that the CK-MB/CK ratio was a stable risk factors for OS (HR = 3.82, p  < 0.001) and DFS (HR = 2.31, p  < 0.001). To distinguish hepatic metastases after surgery, the ROC area under the curve of CK-MB/CK was 0.697 ( p  < 0.001), and the optimal cut-off value determined by the Youden index was 0.347. Conclusions Postoperative abnormal CK-MB/CK ratio predicts worse prognosis in CRC patients after radical resection and serves as a useful biomarker for detecting postoperative liver metastasis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-024-12307-5.