Comparison of CA 15-3 and CEA in diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer

Abstract

In order to assess the utility of the tumor-associated antigen CA15-3 in the diagnosis of breast cancer, this new tumor marker was measured pre-operatively in 1342 patients. This group comprised 509 patients with malignant disease (134 with breast cancer and 375 with other malignancies not involving the breast) and 833 patients with benign surgical diseases (95 patients with fibroadenoma of the breast, 738 with other benign diseases). The results were compared with those for carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) in the diagnosis of breast cancer. CA15-3 was above the normal limits of 25 U/ml in 31% of the patients with breast cancer, in 22% of patients with other malignancies, and in 9% of patients with benign diseases. CEA was elevated in 26% of patients with breast cancer (> 3ng/ml). CA15-3 levels were above 50 U/ml in 13% of the breast cancer patients, in 6%) of patients with other malignancies, and in 0.2% of the patients with benign diseases. There was a good correlation between CA 15-3 level and tumor stage in breast cancer. CA 15-3 serum levels were over 50 U/ml in respectively 0%, 2%, 13%, and 73% of the patients with stages I, II, III, and IV. CA 15-3 and CEA were also determined in 671 patients who had received initial curative surgery of breast cancer, and who regularly attended our follow-up clinic. CA15-3 was found to be more sensitive than CEA in detecting recurrences of breast cancer. In the post-care period, carcinoma recurred in 205 patients. Of these 73% had CA15-3 concentrations above 25 U/ml, whereas only 50% had CEA values above 3 ng/ml (p< 0.0001). Although neither CA15-3 nor CEA are sensitive enough for the screening and diagnosis of early breast cancer, CA 15-3 is superior to CEA in the detection of breast cancer metastases.

HAb18G (CD147), a cancer‐associated biomarker and its role in cancer detection

“…CA15.3 for breast cancers and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for colonic cancers, they have been used in several types of cancers. Elevated CEA has been reported in about seven kinds of cancers, including cancers of the colon (70%), pancreas (55%), stomach (50%), lung (42%), breast (26–49%), urothelium (41%) and ovary (20%) 32–39 . CA15.3, an antibody‐based cancer biomarker, has been used for six kinds of cancers, including primary cancers of breast (15.2–32.88%), pancreas (77%), lung (62.5%), ovary (57.1%), colon (45%) and liver (8.57%) 40–44 .…”

Increased Circulating Level of the Survival Factor GP88 (Progranulin) in the Serum of Breast Cancer Patients When Compared to Healthy Subjects

“…Safi et al7 assessed CA15-3 serum levels preoperatively in N = 1342 patients with benign breast conditions and various malignancies. CA15-3 levels were found to be over 50 U/ml in 0%, 2%, 13%, and 73% of the patients with stages 1, 2, 3, and 4 breast cancer respectively.…”

A review on metastatic breast cancer in Iran

“…In the study of CEA and CA15-3 level of sensitivity in breast tumors with metastasis to the axillary lymph nodes, tumor marker CA15-3 can be used to identify the presence or absence of metastasis of axillary lymph node in breast cancer. However, CEA does not have an appropriate sensitivity in this context [41,42].…”