Serum Levels of CA 125 in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancers

Abstract

Serum levels of CA 125 and markers reputed as specific for cancers in relevant locations (squamous cell carcinoma, SCC, carcinoembryonic antigen, CEA, CA 19.9, α-fetoprotein, AFP) were determined in 107 patients with gastrointestinal (GI) carcinomas. The aim of this study was to assess their individual and combined sensitivities, and the power of CA 125 in excluding primary ovarian epithelial cancer from GI primary. Serum CA 125 levels (in U/ml) ranged from nondetectable to 400 in patients with esophageal, to 570 in those with gastric, and to 300 in patients with colorectal carcinoma. The levels for liver secondaries, pancreatic, and hepatocellular carcinoma were 480, 2,720 and 1,100 U/ml, respectively. Serum SCC antigen was elevated in all patients with esophageal cancer, CEA or CA 19.9 in 52% of patients with gastric cancer and in 63% with liver secondaries, and CEA in 95% of patients with colorectal cancer; whereas serum CA 125 above 65 U/ml was found in 25% of this subgroup, but only in those with already an elevated concentration of specific marker(s). Serum CEA or CA 19.9 was elevated in 71%, CA 125 in 59% of patients with pancreatic cancer; the latter mostly in those with already elevated CEA or CA 19.9. Serum AFP was elevated in 84% and CA 125 in 40% of patients with hepatoma; the latter mostly in those with already an elevated AFP. CA 125 values exceeding 1,000 U/ml were found in 1 patient with pancreatic cancer (2,720 U/ml) and in 2 with hepatoma (1,050 and 1 100 U/ml). These findings illustrate the nonspecificity of the CA 125 antigen, its small if any advantage compared to the specific markers, and they diminish its role as a marker for primary ovarian cancer from GI primary unless it exceeds 2,800 U/ml.

Combining conventional and stroma-derived tumour markers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

“…Tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS), a potential tumour marker that outperforms Ca 19-9 when differentiating between PDAC and chronic pancreatitis [5], is a soluble fragment of cytokeratin 18 (ck18), a cytoskeletal component in normal and cancer cells [6,7]. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) used in colorectal cancer management and cancer antigen 125 (Ca 125) used in ovarian cancer are also cancer cell-derived, and have both been evaluated as markers in PDAC [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

Cancer Antigens 19-9 and 125 in the Differential Diagnosis of Pancreatic Mass Lesions

“…An elevated CA 125 level was found in some neoplasms, such as ovarian, breast, and lung carcinoma, and also in some nonneoplastic disorders, such as endometriosis. 1,16 Recently, the utility of the CA 125 marker in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, with slightly less sensitivity than the CA 19-9 marker, has been confirmed in some articles. 4,16,17 A high level of the marker is usually associated with a large tumor size as well as a high stage of advancement.…”

“…1,16 Recently, the utility of the CA 125 marker in the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma, with slightly less sensitivity than the CA 19-9 marker, has been confirmed in some articles. 4,16,17 A high level of the marker is usually associated with a large tumor size as well as a high stage of advancement. The mean values of the marker levels tend to increase from stage I to stage IV (according to the Union Internationale Contre le Cancer TNM classification), and they are significantly higher in patients with unresectable tumors.…”

Novel, genetically induced mouse model that recapitulates the histological morphology and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment of metastatic peritoneal carcinomatosis

“…These proteins are also used as serum tumor markers for screening of ovarian cancer and monitoring the effects of treatment. [46][47][48][49][50] Many clinical trials and experimental therapies have targeted these two tumor markers, including vaccine, CA125/MUC16-or mesothelin-specific antibody and CAR T cell therapy. [51][52][53][54][55][56] Therefore, with these markers highly expressed in our model, this novel system physically recapitulates human HGSC development and spread, allowing for the preclinical screening of new therapies targeting CA125, mesothelin and many other markers.…”