The correlation between the immunohistochemical expression of DF3 antigen and serum CA15-3 in breast cancer patients

Abstract

The immunohistochemical expression of DF3 antigen and serum concentrations of CA15-3, a breast carcinoma-associated antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) 115D8 and DF3, was investigated in breast cancer patients. The levels of serum CA15-3 in 23 primary breast cancer patients did not correlate to the percentage cytoplasmic reactivity of MAb DF3 with the carcinoma cells in tissue specimens from each respective patient. In 17 patients who subsequently developed metastatic breast cancer, however, the serum CA15-3 concentrations generally correlated well to the cytoplasmic reactivity of MAb DF3 with the carcinoma cells in specimens obtained at initial biopsy or mastectomy. Elevated levels of serum CA15-3 were seen in metastatic breast cancer patients when the carcinoma cells in their primary specimens expressed enhanced levels of cytoplasmic DF3 antigen. The results of this study suggest that the immunohistochemical demonstration of DF3 antigen in tissue specimens, together with the periodical measurement of circulating CA15-3 antigen, may be important for monitoring the clinical course of breast cancer patients.

The value of serum tumour markers in the prediction of aetiology and follow up of patients with pericardial effusion

“…High levels of CA 15-3 were first detected in breast cancer patients and this was used to evaluate recurrence in the follow-up period 11,12. In later studies, high levels of CA 15-3 were also found in effusion patients with malignancies 13.…”

“…Increased levels of CA 15-3 in the blood are primarily observed in breast cancer 11,12. CA 15-3 has also be used to evaluate both pleural and pericardial effusions 13-16.…”

Immunohistochemical study of p185 HER2 and DF3 in primary breast cancer and correlation with CA-15-3 serum tumor marker

“…There was no significant correlation between overexpression of p185 HER2 and the CA‐15‐3 tumor marker, the circulating form of DF3 antigen. We may suppose that an independent mechanism exists that controls the release of DF3 antigen into the circulation (22) .…”

Diagnostic value of a second generation CA 15-3 antibody to detect adenocarcinoma in body cavity effusions

“…Since the early 1990s, antibodies against CA 15-3 have been developed as possible serum markers of occult or recurrent breast carcinoma. 17,18 Similarly, CA 15-3 has been examined as a serologic test for breast carcinoma in pleural fluid. 19 Histologic studies have centered on the specificity of CA 15-3 for breast carcinoma in metastatic carcinomas 20 or its sensitivity for detecting micrometastases in axillary lymph nodes.…”