The usefulness of CA15.3, mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen in determining the clinical course in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Abstract

Levels of mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA), CA15.3 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were measured in consecutive serum samples of 40 women with metastatic breast cancer. A change in antigen level of more than 25%, either an increase or a decrease, was considered to predict progressive or responsive disease respectively. A change of less than 25% was considered to predict stable disease. MCA, CA15.3 and CEA were elevated in the serum of 68%, 76% and 48% of the patients respectively (P < 0.05). The overall prediction of clinical course was similar for all three markers. A more than 25% increase of MCA, CA15.3, and CEA was observed in 61%, 54% and 36% respectively. The predictive value of a more than 25% increase was high for all three markers: 94%, 94%, 83%. Changes in marker levels were correlated with each other. Logistic regression analysis showed that combining MCA and CA15.3 did not improve the prediction further. In conclusion, these tumour markers may help in evaluating the disease course and there is no advantage in combining MCA and CA15.3. P. Depr6s-Brummer 9 M. Itzhaki

Assessment of CA 15.3, CEA and TPA Concentrations during Monitoring of Breast Cancer

“…The Mann-Whitney U-test was used to investigate a) whether the CV T as well as the CV B values below cutoff exceeded those above cutoff, b) whether the CV T as well as the CV B values below cutoff differed among the markers, c) whether the CV T as well as the CV B values above cutoff differed among the mark- As the kinetics may be observed for all three markers below as well as above cutoff, the panels A and B were not provided with values for concentration and cutoff levels (16,(18)(19)(20). Assessment of steady state variability was based on at least four consecutive measurements.…”

“…Previous reports have suggested that the basic kinetic patterns of CA 15.3, CEA, and TPA are similar even though the kinetics may differ both within and between patients (18)(19)(20). It is generally accepted that the main utility of tumor markers is to monitor changes in tumor burden and cell turnover of the subclones of cells producing the marker(s) (1)(2)(3).…”

“…It is generally accepted that the main utility of tumor markers is to monitor changes in tumor burden and cell turnover of the subclones of cells producing the marker(s) (1)(2)(3). Some patients may be "producers" for a given marker, whereas others may be "non-producers" (16,(18)(19)(20). The main issue that determines whether decrements or steady state concentrations are observed during tumor regression and whether increments of steady state concentrations are observed during tumor growth in the individual patient is the rate of marker production by the subclones of cells which comprise the tumor(s).…”

Marqueurs protéiques circulants et cancer du sein

“…On admet généralement un seuil d'augmentation de 25 % du CA 15-3 pour prédire une progression de la maladie [22]. Différentes études [21,[23][24][25][26] ont montré qu'environ deux tiers des patientes ont une diminution du CA 15-3 en cas de réponse thérapeutique, trois quarts ont des valeurs de CA 15-3 stables en cas de maladie stable et environ 80 % ont une élévation du CA 15-3 en présence d'une maladie évo-lutive. Dans chaque situation clinique (réponse, stabilisation, progression), une proportion (15 à 25 %) de résultats discordants a été observée chez des malades traités [23,27].…”

Influence of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Serum Tumor Markers CA 15-3, MCA, CEA, TPS and TPA in Breast Cancer Patients with Operable Disease

“…Tu mor markers may be used to determine the differential diagnosis by distinguishing malig nant from benign abnormalities [6], to detect patients with minimal residual disease after primary therapy [7], to monitor patients after mastectomy in order to detect occult recur rent disease prior to clinical manifestation [8], to monitor the clinical course of the disease in order to assess the effectiveness of the sys- temic treatment [2,9] and to predict the future outcome of the patients [10,11]. The most commonly used circulating tumor mark ers are mucinous markers, particularly CA 15-3 [1] and mucinous-like cancer antigen (MCA) [12], cytokeratin-related markers, such as tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) [13] and tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS) [14] , and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) [15] , It is accepted that mucinous markers and CEA reflect disease extent [11,16], whereas TPA and TPS measure tumor prolif eration [17].…”