A simple, non-invasive means of investigation for follow-up of cancers which could be used for selection of optimum therapeutic strategies would clearly be desirable.
CA 15-3, a new tumor marker of breast cancer detectable by two monoclonal antibodies (115D8 and DF3), was measured by an immunoradiometric technique on the ELISA solid phase.
In this study, the reliability of this marker was evaluated in a normal population and in patients with breast tumor in Korea. In order to assess the diagnostic value of this marker, tests were conducted on a group of patients with metastatic or
recurrent breast cancer.
From December 1989 to June 1990, blood samples were collected at Kang Nam St. Mary Hosptial, Seoul, Korea from 23 normal healthy women, 17 patients with histologically confirmed benign breast tumor, 30 patients with histologically confirmed
breast
cancer without any evidence of metastasis, and 9 patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer.
@ES The results were as follows :
@EN 1) The mean value of CA 15-3 in benign breast tumor group(10.01±2.22 U/ml) was not significantly elevated compared to the value in normal healthy women group(9.17±2.50 U/ml), but in tumor group(p<0.01).
2) The mean value of CA 15-3 in recurrent or metastatic breast cancer group(27.29±9.29 U/ML) was significantly increased compared to the value in breast cancer group without metastasis(p<0.001).
3) At the base of cut-off value(14 U/ml), the sensitivity of CV 15-3 test in breast cancer group was 62% and in recurrent or metastatic breast cancer group was 89%.
4) In 3 patients who recurred in follow-up period, the values of CA 15-3 were elevated as twice as the initial.
5) The mean percentage of decreased levels of CA 15-3 with breast cancer followed for 3 weeks after surgical resection was 31.2%, which suggests, the value of CA 15-3 is be related to tumor burden.
6) A correlation between steroid receptors and the level of CA 15-3 was not found.
Conclusion;
The authors consider that CA 15-3 test could be valuable for detection of recurrent or metastatic breast cancer.
|