Investigation of the Diagnostic Value of Serum Hepatitis B X-Interacting Protein (HBXIP) Levels in Colorectal Cancer

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge, where early detection is paramount for survival. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of Hepatitis B X-interacting protein (HBXIP)—a protein involved in colorectal carcinogenesis—as a potential serum biomarker for CRC. Methods: In this prospective study conducted between December 2020 and June 2022, 68 patients with clinical stage I–III CRC and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included neoadjuvant therapy or history of other malignancies. Preoperative serum HBXIP levels were quantified using ELISA and analyzed against clinicopathological characteristics. Results: Median serum HBXIP levels were significantly higher in the CRC group compared to controls [0.765 ng/mL (IQR 0.642–0.947) vs. 0.175 ng/mL (IQR 0.080–0.270), p < 0.001]. ROC analysis indicated a high diagnostic potential with an AUC of 0.991 (95% CI: 0.973–1.000). At a cutoff of >0.445 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were 98.5% and 100%, respectively. Elevated HBXIP levels were significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage and lymphovascular invasion. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings suggest that serum HBXIP is markedly elevated in CRC patients and exhibits high diagnostic accuracy within the study cohort. While HBXIP represents a promising candidate for early detection and risk stratification, further large-scale, multicenter studies are essential to validate these findings for clinical application. Clinical trial registration: Not applicable.