Use of serial carcinoembryonic antigen and CA 15.3 assays in detecting relapses in breast cancer patients (original) (raw)

Clinical evaluation of potential usefulness of CEA, CA 15-3, and MCA in follow-up of breast cancer patients

Cancer Letters, 1996

The potential usefulness of MCA, CA 15-3 and CEA in monitoring of breast cancer patients was evaluated in 135 female patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer. The patients were classified into two groups as follows: group of patients with no evidence of disease, NED; and group of patients with progressive disease, PD. In total, 2106 measurements of CEA, CA 15-3, and MCA were performed using an enzyme immunoassay. Serum levels of all three markers in the NED group differed significantly from those of patients with PD. The observed differences in the sensitivity and specificity of CEA, CA 1.5-3, and MCA tests were not significant. The serum concentrations of a particular marker correlated well with the concentrations of the other two markers, except when CEA was correlated with MCA or CA 15-3 in NED group patients. The elevation of tumor markers preceded by some 7 months the clinical evidence of dissemination, and marker levels reflected at a high percentage the response to therapy in PD patients. Therefore, this clinical study confirmed that MCA, CA 15-3 and also CEA are suited to discriminate between disease and disease-free periods, and also validated the usefulness of markers for treatment response monitoring. Keywords: Breast cancer; Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA); Cancer-associated antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3); Mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA); Follow-up 0304-3835/96/$12.00 Coovright 0

Sensitivity of CA 15-3, CEA and serum HER2 in the early detection of recurrence of breast cancer

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 2013

Background: The aim of this project was to investigate the sensitivity of CA 15-3, CEA and HER2 in the early diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Methods: Serial serum values of CA 15-3, CEA and HER2 were determined in 107 patients with recurrence after breast cancer. Fifteen of the patients had primary disseminated disease, nine patients only developed local recurrence during the follow-up period and the remaining 83 developed distant metastases. Results: In the group of patients with distant metastatic disease (n = 83), elevated serum levels of CA 15-3 (> 32.4 U/mL), CEA (> 2.5 μ g/L for non-smokers and > 10 μ g/L for smokers) and HER2 (> 15 μ g/L) were found in 49.4%, 38.6% and 32.5%, respectively, at the time of diagnosis of recurrence. CA 15-3 was significantly better than HER2 (p = 0.027). The most sensitive combination was obtained using CA 15-3/CEA (60.2%) or CA 15-3/HER2 (57.8%). Combining all three tumour markers raised the sensitivity to 63.9%. In the subgroup of patients with tissue HER2 + tumours, the sensitivity of HER2 increased to 55.6%. The best combination in this group was CEA/HER2 (66.7%). In the subgroup of patients with tissue HER2 − tumours, CA 15-3 was significantly better. The best combination was CA 15-3/HER2 or CA 15-3/CEA with a sensitivity of 55.8% and 59.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The combination of several tumour markers enhances the sensitivity for detection of metastatic breast cancer. We recommend HER2 or the combination of CEA and HER2 in tissue HER2 + and CA 15-3 or the combination of CA 15-3 and CEA in tissue HER2 − .

The predictive of tumour markers CA 15-3, TPS and CEA in breast cancer recurrence

The Breast, 2000

The predictive values of tumour markers Carcinoma-Associated Antigen CA 15-3, Tissue Polypeptide Specific Antigen (TPS) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in recurrence of breast cancer are unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the predictive value of these markers in our population of 1448 patients with diagnosed breast cancer. Data and mean follow-up of 4.4 years were available on 1082 women of whom 277 had documented recurrence (mean follow up 5.7 years). The recurrence free patients had a mean follow up of 3.9 years.

Serum CEA and CA 15-3 as prognostic factors in primary breast cancer

British journal of …, 2002

In the present study, we investigated the association of the serum levels of the tumour markers carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 15-3 with disease free survival and death from disease in 1046 women with breast cancer without metastases at the time of primary diagnosis in relation to age and the established prognostic factors tumour size, lymph node status, histological grading and hormone receptor status. We found that elevated pre-operative serum marker values were correlated with early relapse (cancer antigen 15-3; P=0.0003) and death from disease (carcinoembryonic antigen, cancer antigen 15-3; P=0.0001 both) in univariate analyses. By comparing pre-and post-operative values we found a decline in values post-surgery. In those patients where marker levels of carcinoembryonic antigen decreased more than 33%, a significantly higher risk for relapse and death from disease (both P=0.0001) in univariate analyses was observed. In multivariate analysis this decrease of carcinoembryonic antigen proved to be an independent prognostic factor. The results for cancer antigen 15-3 were comparable to carcinoembryonic antigen in univariate analyses but showed no significance in multivariate analysis. In this study the post-operative decrease of the serum tumour marker carcinoembryonic antigen was a strong independent prognostic factor for disease free survival and death from disease in breast cancer patients. Clinical Breast cancer: CEA, CA 15-3 and prognosis FG Ebeling et al Clinical Breast cancer: CEA, CA 15-3 and prognosis FG Ebeling et al

CEA, MCA, CA 15.3 and CA 549 and their combinations in expressing and monitoring metastatic breast cancer: a prospective comparative study

European Journal of Cancer, 1995

Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA), CA 15.3 and CA 549 were concurrently assayed in patients with metastatic breast cancer. Overall sensitivity in detecting metastatic breast cancer (201 pts) was CEA 45%, MCA 59%, CA 15.3 71% and CA 549 72% (P < 0.01). Sensitivity increased by only 6% to 8% when two or more antigens were simultaneously considered. An overall sensitivity of correlation with objective response (n = 71) was observed in the range of 53–67% (P = n.s.) in patients with abnormal baseline marker values, and in the range of 42–87% (P < 0.05) in patients with normal baseline values. The combination of two or more markers did not improve sensitivity, but decreased specificity of correlation with objective response. In conclusion, CA 15.3 and CA 549 have individually higher sensitivity in detecting metastatic breast cancer. No clinical advantage was observed for using two or more markers concurrently over CA 15.3 or CA 549 alone in the monitoring of metastatic breast cancer.

Monitoring different stages of breast cancer using tumour markers CA 15-3, CEA and TPA

European Journal of Cancer, 2004

The ability of the tumour markers Cancer Antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3), Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), and Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA) to signal progression in breast cancer patients was investigated in this study. Marker interpretation considered the analytical variation, intra-individual biological variation, and the rate of increase. Patient cohorts were as follows: (A) 90 stage II breast cancer patients who were monitored postoperatively, (B) 204 recurrent breast cancer patients who were monitored during first-line chemotherapy, and (C) 112 patients who were monitored during the time period after first-line chemotherapy. The sensitivity for progression was 44% (cohort A), 69% (cohort B), and 68% (cohort C) without any false progression signals. Marker lead-times exceeded 3 months in 20% (cohort A) and 27% (cohort C) of patients. Marker lead-times were 1-6 months among 33% of the patients receiving first-line chemotherapy (cohort B). Trials are necessary to determine whether tumour marker-guided therapy has any prognostic impact. The data suggest that tumour marker information may be used to stop ineffective treatments and reduce unnecessary adverse effects.

Prognostic value of monitoring tumour markers CA 15-3 and CEA during fulvestrant treatment

BMC cancer, 2006

At many centres tumour markers are used to detect disease recurrence and to monitor response to therapy in patients with advanced disease, although the real value of serial observation of marker levels remains disputed. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of tumour markers for predicting response (partial response [PR], stable disease [SD] > or = 6 months), de novo disease progression (PD) and secondary PD in patients receiving fulvestrant ('Faslodex') 250 mg/month for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Changes in cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were prospectively monitored (monthly) and were also evaluated for the 3 months preceding secondary PD. Data from 67 patients with previously treated MBC participating in a Compassionate Use Programme were analysed. In patients with a PR (n = 7 [10.4%]), a non-significant increase in CA 15-3 occurred during the first 6 months of treatment; CEA was significantly reduced (P...

Diagnostic usefulness of CA 15-3 and CEA combination in breast cancer screening

Diagnostic usefulness of CA 15-3 and CEA combination in breast cancer screening, 2023

INTRODUCTION: Except genetic component or presence of history of breast cancer in family and carrying BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genes mutations there are other risk factors that increase the risk of developing breast cancer. But it can be detected in early stage if we have a good combination of tumor markers with high sensitivity and specificity. So researchers and practitioners all around the world are seeking for the best combination that will save many lives. METHODS: Research is conducted with tool for collecting data about risk factors and tumor markers from primary healthcare unit record. RESULTS: With One Sample T-test it is proven that there is statistical significance that using tumor markers CA 15-3 and CEA in combination is useful in screening breast cancer and his metastases but also detecting regression. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor markers which are used including CA 15-3 and CEA were useful in diagnosis, screening and discovering metastases in females.

Intensive post-operative follow-up of breast cancer patients with tumour markers: CEA, TPA or CA15.3 vs MCA and MCA-CA15.3 vs CEA-TPA-CA15.3 panel in the early detection of distant metastases

BMC cancer, 2006

In breast cancer current guidelines do not recommend the routine use of serum tumour markers. Differently, we observed that CEA-TPA-CA15.3 (carcinoembryonic (CEA) tissue polypeptide (TPA) and cancer associated 115D8/DF3 (CA15.3) antigens) panel permits early detection and treatment for most relapsing patients. As high sensitivity and specificity and different cut-off values have been reported for mucin-like carcinoma associated antigen (MCA), we compared MCA with the above mentioned tumour markers and MCA-CA15.3 with the CEA-TPA-CA15.3 panel. In 289 breast cancer patients submitted to an intensive post-operative follow-up with tumour markers, we compared MCA (cut-off values, > or = 11 and > or = 15 U/mL) with CEA or CA15.3 or TPA for detection of relapse. In addition, we compared the MCA-CA15.3 and CEA-TPA-CA15.3 tumour marker panels. Distant metastases occurred 19 times in 18 (6.7%) of the 268 patients who were disease-free at the beginning of the study. MCA sensitivity with ...

The Role of Tumor Markers: Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Cancer Antigen 15-3 in Patients With Breast Cancer

Cureus, 2021

Breast cancer is a major cause of mortality among females, worldwide. The present study was intended to evaluate the significance in the management of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) in patients with breast cancer. Methodology A cohort study was conducted at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan from June 2020 to May 2021. All diagnosed cases of breast cancer who underwent surgical excision of tumor were eligible to partake. Patients who had metastatic breast cancer or had a recurrence were excluded. The patient's sociodemographic and clinical data were documented in a predefined pro forma. It included information about the age, sex, weight, as well as serum CEA and CA15-3. The CA15-3 and CEA levels for each patient were assessed by taking a 5ml blood sample and sending it to the laboratory for further workup. preoperatively on the second, seventh, and 28th postoperative days. Results A mean ± SD age of 52.6 ± 8.89 years was reported. Family history of breast cancer was positive in one-fourth of the patients. Nodal metastasis was negative in 114 (46.72%) patients. Three-fourth of patients had Stage II-IV with only a minority diagnosed with Stage I. The mean levels for CA15-3 in women with Stage I cancer was significantly lower on the seventh day and 28th postoperative day, compared to preoperative levels (p = 0.05). Similar associations were seen for stages II and III. Higher CEA levels were significantly associated with stage III breast cancer preoperatively (5.88 ng/ml, p = 0.05) compared to postoperative values. Conclusion The current study revealed that preoperative values of serum CEA and CA15-3 significantly reduced postoperatively. Moreover, patients with advanced cancers had significantly higher levels of both tumor markers than those with less advanced diseases. The current study highlighted the importance of regular assessment of serum CEA and CA15-3 in breast cancer patients. Both these biomarkers are substantially elevated in breast cancer patients, preoperatively. Determining the levels of serum CEA and CA15-3 preand postoperatively may determine the prognosis and aid in forming the most optimal patient care regime with respect to the stage and subtype of cancer.