Surfactant protein D serves as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic agent in various cancersProtein D shows promise in diagnosing and treating several cancers

Frontiers in Medicine Published August 15, 2026 DOI ↗ Editorial oversight: Dr. Amelia Tan, PhD · Internal Medicine & Chronic Disease

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Key Takeaway

Note that Surfactant protein D serves as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic agent in various cancers.

This narrative review explores the biological roles of Surfactant protein D (SP-D) in several malignancies, including lung adenocarcinoma, breast cancer, eosinophilic leukemia, gastrointestinal cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. The scope focuses on SP-D as both a diagnostic indicator and a potential therapeutic target.

The authors synthesize findings indicating that differential expression of SP-D in lung adenocarcinoma and metastases suggests its importance for diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, the review notes a direct anti-tumor effect of SP-D in human eosinophilic leukemia and breast cancer cells. The molecular mechanisms identified include interactions with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Glucose-Related Protein 78, which lead to cell cycle arrest and activation of intrinsic apoptosis pathways.

While the review identifies potential clinical utility, it does not provide clinical trial data or specific safety outcomes. Practice relevance is currently limited to its role as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic agent; serum and bronchoalveolar lavage levels may assist in lung cancer diagnosis and risk assessment.

How this fits prior evidence

This narrative review addresses gaps regarding the biological role of Surfactant protein D (SP-D) in oncology. While previous coverage noted that specific tumor microenvironment scores may predict tamoxifen benefit in postmenopausal ER+HER2- breast cancer, this review explores a different mechanism for breast cancer and other malignancies through SP-D's interaction with growth factors and apoptosis pathways.

When a patient is diagnosed with cancer, doctors need reliable ways to tell how aggressive the disease is. New research highlights a protein called Surfactant protein D (SP-D) that could play a major role in these decisions. Because this protein behaves differently in lung adenocarcinoma and its spread to other parts of the body, it may help doctors better diagnose and predict the path of the disease.

Beyond just helping with a diagnosis, SP-D shows potential as a treatment. In laboratory tests, it showed a direct anti-tumor effect against breast cancer cells and eosinophilic leukemia cells. It works by interacting with specific receptors to stop the cell cycle and trigger pathways that lead to cell death.

While these findings are encouraging for various cancers, including pancreatic and ovarian types, it is important to note that this research is currently a narrative review. This means the results come from looking at existing data rather than new clinical trials on patients. More human testing is needed to see how well it works as a treatment in a real-world medical setting.

What this means for you:

Surfactant protein D may help diagnose lung cancer and show anti-tumor effects in breast cancer and leukemia.

Common questions

How can Surfactant protein D help with lung cancer?

Because this protein shows different levels in lung adenocarcinoma and its spread to other areas, it can be used as a marker. Doctors can measure it in serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluids to help diagnose the cancer and assess the risk of the disease developing.

Can this protein treat other types of cancer?

Research shows that Surfactant protein D has a direct anti-tumor effect on breast cancer cells and eosinophilic leukemia cells. It works by stopping the cell cycle and activating pathways that cause these cancer cells to die.

Is this treatment currently available for patients?

While the protein shows potential as a therapeutic agent for various cancers, including pancreatic and ovarian cancer, it is not yet a standard clinical treatment. More research is needed to move from laboratory findings to practical use in clinics.

Study Details

Study typeSystematic review

EvidenceLevel 1

PublishedJul 2026

View Original Abstract ↓

Surfactant protein D (SP-D), a C-type lectin found at the mucosal surfaces, plays crucial roles in innate immunity and homeostasis of the lung. In addition to the lungs, extra-pulmonary expression of SP-D has been reported in several tissues. Differential expression of SP-D in lung adenocarcinoma and metastases implicated its importance in diagnosis and prognosis. Serendipitous discovery of the direct anti-tumor effect of SP-D in human eosinophilic leukemia and breast cancer cells opened the field for exploring its therapeutic potential in various cancers and its contribution to immunomodulatory mechanisms. The current review discusses the role of SP-D as a prognostic marker in lung, breast, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, ovarian and prostate cancer. Additionally, levels of SP-D in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage enable diagnosis and assessment of the risk of developing lung cancer. The molecular interaction of SP-D with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Glucose-Related Protein 78, induction of cell cycle arrest and activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathways are some of the salient mechanisms contributing to the immune surveillance of tumor cells by SP-D. The review also discusses SP-D interactions with oncogenic pathogens and therapeutic potential of recombinant SP-D.

Surfactant protein D serves as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic agent in various cancersProtein D shows promise in diagnosing and treating several cancers

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

Study Details

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Surfactant protein D serves as a prognostic marker and potential therapeutic agent in various cancersProtein D shows promise in diagnosing and treating several cancers

How this fits prior evidence

Common questions

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Study Details

Budesonide-glycopyrronium-formoterol fumarate dihydrate improved lung function and reduced severe exacerbations versus budesonide-formoterol in inadequately controlled asthma

New Asthma Drug Cuts Attacks Without Recent Crisis

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

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