Combination of cyst fluid CEA and CA 125 is an accurate diagnostic tool for differentiating mucinous cystic neoplasms from intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms

Background/objectivesDespite advances in imaging techniques, diagnosis and management of pancreatic cystic lesions still remains challenging. The objective of this study was to determine the utility of cyst fluid analysis (CEA, CA 19-9, CA 125, amylase, and cytology) in categorizing pancreatic cystic lesions, and in differentiating malignant from benign cystic lesions.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 68 patients with histologically and clinically confirmed cystic lesions was performed. Cyst fluid was obtained by surgical resection (n = 45) or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) (n = 23). Cyst fluid tumor markers and amylase were measured and compared between the cyst types.ResultsReceiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the tumor markers demonstrated that cyst fluid CEA provided the greatest area under ROC curve (AUC) (0.884) for differentiating mucinous versus non-mucinous cystic lesions. When a CEA cutoff value was set at 67.3 ng/ml, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosing mucinous cysts were 89.2%, 77.8%, and 84.4%, respectively. The combination of cyst fluid CEA content >67.3 ng/ml and cyst fluid CA 125 content >10.0 U/ml segregated 77.8% (14/18) of mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCNs) from other cyst subtypes. On the other hand, no fluid marker was useful for differentiating malignant versus benign cystic lesions. Although cytology (accuracy 83.3%) more accurately diagnosed malignant cysts than CEA (accuracy 65.6%), it lacked sensitivity (35.3%).ConclusionsOur results demonstrate that cyst fluid CEA can be a helpful marker in differentiating mucinous from non-mucinous, but not malignant from benign cystic lesions. A combined CEA and CA 125 approach may help segregate MCNs from IPMNs.     

Combined preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and serum carbohydrate antigen 19–9 level as a prognostic factor in patients with resected pancreatic cancer

BackgroundCarbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19-9) is the most frequently used tumor marker and serves as a prognostic indicator in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC). The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is thought to be an inflammation-related serum marker. An elevated PLR represents increased inflammatory status and is associated with poor prognosis in patients with various cancers including PC.MethodsThis study involved 103 patients with a histopathological diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who underwent pancreatectomy. The patients were assessed to determine the prognostic significance of the combination of the PLR and CA19-9 level.ResultsBased on the receiver operating characteristic analysis results, the patients were divided into PLR_High (PLR ≥ 129.1) and PLR_Low (PLR < 129.1) groups and into CA19-9_High (CA19-9 ≥ 74.0 U/mL) and CA19-9_Low (CA19-9 < 74.0 U/mL) groups. The cumulative 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates significantly differed by both the PLR (PLR_High group: 19.5% and 22.9%; PLR_Low group: 39.1% and 45.9%) and CA19-9 (CA19-9_High group: 19.1% and 25.6%; CA19-9_Low group: 41.0% and 41.0%). We then divided the patients into Groups A (PLR_Low/CA19-9_Low), B (PLR_Low/CA19-9_High or PLR_High/CA19-9_Low), and C (PLR_High/CA19-9_High). The cumulative 5-year OS rates in Groups A, B, and C were 44.0%, 31.9%, and 11.9%, respectively (P = 0.002). The cumulative 5-year DSS rates in Groups A, B, and C were 47.7%, 36.4%, and 16.8%, respectively (P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis revealed that the combination of the PLR and CA19-9 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with resected PC.ConclusionsThe combination of the PLR and CA19-9 is useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with resected PC.     

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration in diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lesions

Background and study aimspancreatic cysts are commonly found lesions and proper diagnosis is very important for planning further management. The study aims to evaluate the role of cyst fluid amylase and tumour markers as cancer antigen (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in addition to mucin stain in diagnosing pancreatic cysts and differentiating malignant from benign lesions.Patients and methodsThis prospective study was conducted on 184 patients diagnosed to have pancreatic cystic lesions from January 2013 to January 2018. Fluid analysis for CA 19-9, CEA, amylase, mucin stain and cytopathology were done. We compared these data with the final diagnosis based on histopathology after surgical resection, positive cytopathology and long period of follow up of the patients for at least 18 months.ResultsThe highest AUC was that of cystic CEA with cut-off value of 160 ng/ml; it had a sensitivity of 60.4% and a specificity of 85%. The best cut-off value for cystic CA 19-9 was 1318 U/ml with a sensitivity of 64.1% and a specificity of 68.1%. The cut-off value of cyst amylase level was 5500 U/L, with 84.2% sensitivity and 37.1% specificity. The sensitivity of mucin stain in detecting mucinous cystic neoplasm was 85.45%, specificity was 86.05% with accuracy 85.87%.ConclusionCyst fluid analysis by investigating amylase, mucin, CA 19-9, CEA and EUS examination improves the diagnosis of different pancreatic cysts.     

Novel serum tumor marker, RCAS1, in pancreatic diseases

AIM: As tumor markers for pancreatic carcinoma, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 have been used, but the sensitivity and specificity are not enough for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. METHODS: A novel serum tumor marker, RCAS1, was compared with two conventional serum tumor markers, CEA (highly specific for pancreatic cancer) and CA 19-9 (highly sensitive for pancreatic cancer), in 48 patients with pancreatic exocrine tumors. RESULTS: When the diagnosis of benign or malignant conditions was examined by one tumor marker, the sensitivity of RCAS1 alone (55%) was higher than that of CEA alone (27%) and the specificity of RCAS1 alone (92%) was greater than that of CA19-9 alone (78%). When examined by a combination of two markers, the sensitivity of a combination of RCAS1 and CA19-9 (95%) was superior to those of CA19-9 alone (78%), RCAS1 alone (55%, P = 0.002), CEA alone (27%) (P<0.001), RCAS1 and CEA (59%) and CA19-9 and CEA (82%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination of RCAS1 and CA19-9 is highly sensitive for pancreatic carcinoma.     

Novel serum tumor marker, RCASl, in pancreatic diseases

AIM: As tumor markers for pancreatic carcinoma, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 have been used, but the sensitivity and specificity are not enough for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. METHODS: A novel serum tumor marker, RCAS1, was compared with two conventional serum tumor markers, CEA (highly specific for pancreatic cancer) and CA 19-9 (highly sensitive for pancreatic cancer), in 48 patients with pancreatic exocrine tumors. RESULTS: When the diagnosis of benign or malignant conditions was examined by one tumor marker, the sensitivity of RCAS1 alone (55%) was higher than that of CEA alone (27%) and the specificity of RCAS1 alone (92%) was greater than that of CA19-9 alone (78%). When examined by a combination of two markers, the sensitivity of a combination of RCAS1 and CA19-9 (95%) was superior to those of CA19-9 alone (78%), RCAS1 alone (55%, P = 0.002), CEA alone (27%) (P<0.001), RCAS1 and CEA (59%) and CA19-9 and CEA (82%). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the combination of RCAS1 and CA19-9 is highly sensitive for pancreatic carcinoma.     

An elevated CA 19-9 is associated with invasive cancer and worse survival in IPMN

BackgroundCurrent guidelines for IPMN include an elevated serum carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 among the worrisome features. However, the correlation of CA 19-9 with histological malignant features and survival is unclear. Serum CEA is also currently used for preoperative management of IPMN, although its measurement is not evidence-based. Accordingly, we aimed to assess the role of these tumor markers as predictors of malignancy in IPMN.MethodsIPMN resected between 1998 and 2018 at Massachusetts General Hospital were analyzed. Clinical, pathological and survival data were collected and compared to preoperative levels of CA 19-9 and CEA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Cox regression analyses were performed considering cut-offs of 37 U/ml (CA 19-9) and 5 μg/l (CEA).ResultsAnalysis of 594 patients showed that preoperative CA 19-9 levels > 37 U/ml (n = 128) were associated with an increased likelihood of invasive carcinoma when compared to normal levels (45.3% vs. 18.0%, P < 0.001), while there was no difference with respect to high-grade dysplasia (32.9% vs 31.9%, P = 0.88). The proportion of concurrent pancreatic cancer was higher in patients with CA 19-9 > 37 U/ml (17.2% vs 4.9%, P < 0.001). An elevated CA 19-9 was also associated with worse overall and disease-free survival (HR = 1.943, P = 0.007 and HR = 2.484, P < 0.001 respectively). CEA levels did not correlate with malignancy.ConclusionIn patients with IPMN, serum CA19-9 > 37 U/ml is associated with invasive IPMN and concurrent pancreatic cancer as well as worse survival, but not with high-grade dysplasia. Serum CEA appears to have minimal utility in the management of these patients.     

Post-adjuvant chemotherapy CA19-9 levels predict prognosis in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundCarbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is a widely used tumor marker for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In addition, several studies have reported the utility of both pre- and postoperative CA19-9 levels as prognostic factors in resectable PDAC. However, little is known about the implications of post-adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) CA19-9 levels. The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of the post-AC CA19-9 level as a prognostic marker for relapse-free survival (RFS) in resectable PDAC.MethodsA total of 119 patients who completed AC were analyzed (normal post-AC CA19-9, n = 79; high post-AC CA19-9, n = 40). The upper limit of the normal (ULN) serum level of CA19-9 was 37 U/mL.ResultsMedian RFS was significantly shorter for patients with high post-AC CA19-9 levels than for those with normal post-AC CA19-9 (10.4 months vs. 29.6 months, respectively; p < 0.001). After adjustment, high post-AC CA19-9 level was an independent predictive factor for short RFS (hazard ratio for RFS, 2.72). Median overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with high post-AC CA19-9 levels than in those with normal postoperative CA19-9 levels (24.7 months vs. 92.1 months, respectively; p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value of post-AC CA19-9 levels for prediction of early recurrence was >1.5 × UNL (55.5 U/mL), with a 74.2% positive predictive value.ConclusionsThe present results show that high post-AC CA19-9 level is an independent prognostic factor for short RFS in patients with resected PDAC. In addition, it may be useful for predicting early recurrence.     

Postoperative serum CA19-9, CEA and CA125 predicts the response to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy following radical resection in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Objective

To evaluate the prediction of benefits from adjuvant chemoradiotherapy by postoperative serum CA19-9, CA125 and CEA.

Prognostic value of CA 19-9, CEA, CRP, LDH and bilirubin levels in locally advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer: results from a multicenter, pooled analysis of patients receiving palliative chemotherapy

Purpose

CA 19-9 is the only established tumor marker in pancreatic cancer (PC); the prognostic role of other serum markers like CEA, CRP, LDH or bilirubin has not yet been defined.

Methods

We pooled pre-treatment data on CA 19-9, CEA, CRP, LDH and bilirubin levels from two German multicenter randomized phase II trials together with prospective patient data from one high-volume German Cancer Center. Marker levels were assessed locally before the start of palliative first-line therapy for advanced PC and serially during treatment (for CA 19-9 only). Clinical and biomarker data (overall 12 variables) were correlated with the efficacy endpoints time-to-progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) by using uni- and multivariate Cox models.

Results

Data from 291 patients were included in this pooled analysis; 253 patients (87 %) received treatment within prospective clinical trials. Median TTP in the study cohort was 5.1 months and median OS 9.0 months. In univariate analysis, pre-treatment CA 19-9 (HR 1.55), LDH (HR 2.04) and CEA (HR 1.89) levels were significantly associated with TTP. Regarding OS, baseline CA 19-9 (HR 1.46), LDH (HR 2.07), CRP (HR 1.69) and bilirubin (HR 1.62) were significant prognostic factors. Within multivariate analyses, pre-treatment log [CA 19-9] (as continuous variable for TTP) and log [bilirubin] as well as log [CRP] (for OS) had an independent prognostic value. A CA 19-9 decline of ≥25 % during the first two chemotherapy cycles was predictive for TTP and OS, independent of the applied CA 19-9 assay.

Conclusion

Baseline CA 19-9 and CA 19-9 kinetics during first-line chemotherapy are prognostic in advanced PC. Besides that finding other serum markers like CRP, LDH and bilirubin can also provide prognostic information on TTP and OS.     

Laparoscopic peritoneal lavage cytology and immunocytology in pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma

BackgroundFree tumour cells in the peritoneal cavity of patients with pancreatic carcinoma carry a poor prognosis. Reactive or degenerative mesothelial cells can make cytological interpretation with conventional stains difficult. Detection of the tumour-associated antigens carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9 may improve detection.MethodsAt staging laparoscopy, 22 patients with pancreatic or periampullary tumours had ascitic fluid aspirated or peritoneal lavage performed. Both conventional and immunocytologically stained preparations were examined. Antibodies to CEA and CA19-9 and the epithelial marker BerEP4 were used. Lavage fluid from ten patients having operative treatment for benign pancreatic or biliary conditions was also examined.ResultsNo malignant cells on conventional cytological criteria were recovered.Thirteen of the 22 patients with pancreatic or periampullary carcinoma had peritoneal cells that were positive for CEA and/or CA19-9. None was positive for BerEP4. No patients with resectable disease had cells that were positive for CEA or CA19-9 compared with 13 of 18 (72%) who had unresectable disease. One patient (10%) with benign disease (chronic pancreatitis) had cells recovered that were weakly positive for CEA but negative for CA19-9 and BerEP4.DiscussionRecovery of cells from the peritoneal cavity of patients with pancreatic or periampullary carcinoma that are expressing the tumour-associated antigens CEA or CA19-9 does not indicate the presence of free tumour cells but is associated with advanced disease.     

Increase diagnostic accuracy in differentiating focal type autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer with combined serum IgG4 and CA19-9 levels

Background/objectivesTo distinguish autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), especially focal type, from pancreatic cancer, is a greatest challenge for clinician. The aim of the study is to compare the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of combined serum IgG4 and CA19-9 levels to differentiate AIP from pancreatic cancer by HISORt, Asian and international consensus diagnostic criteria.MethodsWe measured serum IgG4, CEA, and CA19-9 levels in 188 AIP patients, 86 non-AIP chronic pancreatitis patients, and 130 pancreatic cancer patients. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy were compared with different diagnostic criteria. We also compared the diagnostic performance in patients with or without jaundice.ResultsThe serum level of IgG4 was significantly higher in AIP than those in non-AIP chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The optimal cutoffs of IgG4 and CA19-9 to differentiate AIP from pancreatic cancer were 175 mg/dL and 85.0 U/ml based on ROC analysis. Combining IgG4 level over 280 mg/dL and CA19-9 below 85.0 U/ml could yield a best diagnostic accuracy (85.6%) to distinguishing AIP from pancreatic cancer in all of the HISORt, Asian and international consensus diagnostic criteria. With the combination of serological test, focal type AIP could be diagnosed with comparable accuracy as diffuse type AIP.ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that combined use of serum IgG4 (over 280 mg/dL) and CA19-9 9 (below 85.0 U/ml) together increases the diagnostic accuracy to distinguish AIP from pancreatic cancer non-invasively, especially in focal type autoimmune pancreatitis.     

Validation of serum tumor biomarkers in predicting advanced cystic mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas

BACKGROUND Early detection of advanced cystic mucinous neoplasms[(A-cMNs),defined as high-grade dysplasia or malignancy]of the pancreas is of great significance.As a simple and feasible detection method,serum tumor markers(STMs)may be used to predict advanced intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms(IPMNs)and mucinous cystic neoplasms(MCNs).However,there are few studies on the usefulness of STMs other than carbohydrate antigen(CA)19-9 for early detection of A-cMNs.AIM To study the ability of five STMs-CA19-9,carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),CA125,CA724,and CA242 to predict A-cMNs and distinguish IPMNs and MCNs.METHODS We mainly measured the levels of each STM in patients pathologically diagnosed with cMNs.The mean levels of STMs and the number of A-cMN subjects with a higher STM level than the cutoff were compared respectively to identify the ability of STMs to predict A-cMNs and distinguish MCNs from IPMNs.A receiver operating characteristic curve with the area under curve(AUC)was also created to identify the performance of the five STMs.RESULTS A total of 187 patients with cMNs were identified and 72 of them showed AcMNs.We found that CA19-9 exhibited the highest sensitivity(SE)(54.2%)and accuracy(76.5%)and a moderate ability(AUC=0.766)to predict A-cMNs.In predicting high-grade dysplasia IPMNs,the SE of CA19-9 decreased to 38.5%.The ability of CEA,CA125,and CA724 to predict A-cMNs was low(AUC=0.651,0.583,and 0.618,respectively).The predictive ability of CA242 was not identified.The combination of STMs improved the SE to 62.5%.CA125 may be specific to the diagnosis of advanced MCNs.CONCLUSION CA19-9 has a moderate ability,and CEA,CA125,and CA724 have a low ability to predict A-cMNs.The combination of STM testing could improve SE in predicting A-cMNs.     

Monitoring of CA19-9 and SPan-1 can facilitate the earlier confirmation of progressing pancreatic cancer during chemotherapy

BackgroundMeasurement of objective response to chemotherapy using imaging modalities is sometimes difficult in pancreatic cancer (PC). We aimed to verify whether monitoring of serum tumor markers (TMs), namely carcinoembryonic antigen, CA19-9, DUPAN-2, SPan-1, can facilitate earlier confirmation of treatment failure.MethodsMonitoring of serum TMs and computed tomography were performed every 4 weeks until progression of disease in 90 patients with PC undergoing gemcitabine therapy. In Group A (January 2006–October 2007), we analyzed the fluctuation rates of TMs with high pretreatment positive rates, and defined the criteria of progressive disease under TM monitoring (TM-PD). In Group B (November 2007–October 2008), we calculated the time to progression (TTP) under this TM-PD criteria, which was compared with the TTP under the RECIST criteria.ResultsCA19-9 and SPan-1 had the highest pretreatment positive rates: 83% and 90%, respectively. In Group A (CA19-9, n = 38; SPan-1, n = 36), TM-PD criteria were defined as follows: fluctuation rates were ≥25% for a month or ≥10% for 2 consecutive months in CA19-9, and ≥10% for a month in SPan-1. In Group B (CA19-9, n = 18; SPan-1, n = 17), under these criteria, one-month earlier confirmation of treatment failure was feasible in 61% by CA19-9 and 59% by SPan-1. Furthermore, the combination could facilitate this determination in 72% (35/49), significantly better than CA19-9 alone (P = 0.004).ConclusionMonitoring of serum CA19-9 and SPan-1 is helpful for earlier confirmation of treatment failure during gemcitabine therapy in PC.     

Clinical implications of the serum CA19-9 level in “biological borderline resectability” and “biological downstaging” in the setting of preoperative chemoradiation therapy for pancreatic cancer

BackgroundBiological factors are emphasized in borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC), and CA19-9 is an important factor for biological borderline resectability (b-BR). The aim of this study was to investigate the cut-off value of CA19-9 for biological borderline resectability and “biological downstaging” in chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for pancreatic cancer (PC).MethodsA total of 407 patients with anatomically resectable PC (a-R) and BRPC (a-BR) received preoperative gemcitabine-based CRT. The b-BR was determined, according to the CA19-9 value prior to preoperative CRT (pre-CA19-9), as the subgroup of a-R cases in which the survival was comparable with that in a-BR cases. “Biological downstaging” was determined based on prognostic analyses regarding the CA19-9 value after preoperative CRT (post-CA19-9) in association with the survival of R cases (a-R cases without the b-BR factor).ResultsThe 5-year survival of a-R patients with pre-CA19-9 > 120 U/mL was comparable with that of a-BR patients (44% vs 34%, p = 0.082). The survival of b-BR patients with post-CRT CA19-9 ≤ 37 U/mL (normalized) was comparably favorable with that of R patients (56% vs 65%, p = 0.369). The incidence of distant recurrence was higher in b-BR patients without post-CA19-9 normalization than in those with post-CA19-9 normalization (70% vs 50%, p = 0.003), while the incidence of local recurrence was comparable between these two groups (12% vs 13%, p = 0.986).ConclusionsBiological BRPC was determined to be an anatomically resectable disease with pre-CA19-9 > 120 U/mL, and post-CA19-9 normalization indicated “biological downstaging” in b-BR in the preoperative CRT strategy.     

Prognostic impact of the ratio of preoperative CA19-9 to liver enzyme levels in pancreatic cancer patients with jaundice (predictability of combined CA19-9/AST and CA19-9/γ-GGT for jaundiced PDAC patients)

BackgroundCarbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA19-9) has been reported as the most significant survival predictor of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the elevation of CA19-9 could interfere with obstructive jaundice and the predictive value of CA19-9 in PDAC patients with jaundice remains to be analyzed and elucidated to find possible adjustments.ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictability of preoperative CA19-9 and its adjustments for the overall survival (OS) of PDAC patients by analyzing the relationship between preoperative serum CA19-9 and total bilirubin (TBIL).MethodsA total of 563 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma in our center between January 2015 and September 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic information was collected and preoperative parameters such as CA19-9, CEA, TBIL, γ-GGT, AST, ALT, and ALP were recorded as well as overall survival rates, which began from the date of operation to that of death or the last follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival curves with log-rank test and Cox regression models were applied using SPSS and the survival and survminer packages in R software.ResultsUsing 39/390/1000 as the cut-off values for preoperative serum CA19-9, significant capability of OS stratification was found in the total cohort (p < 0.001, MST = 29.7/19.1/15.2/12.1 months) and patients with TBIL <102.6 μmol/L (p < 0.001, MST = 32.2/19.6/15.0/11.2 months). However, in the subgroup of TBIL≥102.6 μmol/L, this classification method was replaced by the combined scoring of CA19-9/AST and CA19-9/γ-GGT.ConclusionsAs an independent predictor of overall survival of PDAC patients, preoperative serum CA19-9 is defective in survival stratification when TBIL≥102.6 μmol/L but a positive survival prognosis could be achieved with the application of combined preoperative CA19-9/AST and CA19-9/γ-GGT.     

Pre-treatment carbohydrate antigen 19-9 does not predict the response to neoadjuvant therapy in patients with localized pancreatic cancer

BackgroundThe prognostic value of CA19-9 in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) treated with neoadjuvant therapy has not been well described.MethodsPre-treatment CA19-9 levels (with concomitant normal bilirubin level) in patients with localized PC were categorized as normal (≤35), low (36–200), moderate (201–1000), or high (>1000). Post-treatment CA19-9 was measured after neoadjuvant therapy, prior to surgery.ResultsPre-treatment CA19-9 levels were evaluable in 235 patients, levels were normal in 60 (25%) patients, low in 78 (33%) patients, moderate in 69 (29%) and high in 28 (12%). After neoadjuvant therapy, post-treatment CA19-9 normalized (≤ 35) in 40 (51%) of the patients in the low group, 14 (21%) of the moderate and 5 (19%) of the high group (P < 0.001). Of the 235 patients, 168 (71%) completed all intended therapy including a pancreatectomy; 44 (73%), 62 (79%), 46 (67%) and 16 (57%) of the normal, low, moderate and high groups (P = 0.10). Among these 168 patients, the median overall survival was 38.4, 43.6, 44.7, 27.2 and 26.4 months for normal, low, moderate and high CA19-9 groups (log rank P = 0.72). Among resected patients, an elevated pre-treatment CA19-9 was of little prognostic value; instead, it was the CA19-9 response to neoadjuvant therapy that was prognostic [hazard ratio (HR): 1.80, P = 0.02].ConclusionsAmong patients who completed neoadjuvant therapy and surgery, pre-treatment CA19-9 obtained at the time of diagnosis was not predictive of overall survival, but normalization of post-treatment CA19-9 in response to neoadjuvant therapy was highly prognostic.     

Preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels for the evaluation of curability and resectability in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Background Purpose

Although carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) are the most studied serum tumor markers that have been evaluated for diagnosis and prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer, little is known of the value of these markers for the prediction of curability and resectability.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed preoperative serum levels of CEA and CA 19-9 in 244 consecutive patients with pancreatic operations.

Results

Although 159 pancreatic operations seemed “resectable”, 93 of them were judged curative (R0) and the other 66 turned out to be noncurative (R1/2). The remaining 85 failed resection because of unexpected metastasis or locally advanced disease (LD), which was unresectable compared with levels in those patients without liver metastasis or LD. CEA levels were significantly higher in patients with liver metastasis and LD, while CA 19-9 levels were correlated with liver and peritoneal metastases. When both markers were negative, curative (R0) and respectable (R0 + R1/2) operation were performed in 70% and 85% of patients, respectively. Logistic regression analysis indicated that under conditions where both CEA and CA 19-9 were negative, the odds ratios for curative and respectable operations were 4.43 and 3.58, respectively.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that combined preoperative CEA and CA 19-9 levels are suitable for assessing expected curability and resectability in patients with pancreatic cancer.

     

Systematic review on the role of serum tumor markers in the detection of recurrent pancreatic cancer

Background

Biomarker testing can be helpful to monitor disease progression after resection of pancreatic cancer. This systematic review aims to give an overview of the literature on the diagnostic value of serum tumor markers for the detection of recurrent pancreatic cancer during follow-up.

胰腺癌内镜超声引导下细针穿刺活检物中肿瘤标志物检测价值研究

目的 探讨检测内镜超声引导下细针穿刺(EUS-FNA)活检物中CEA、CA19-9常用肿瘤标志物对胰腺癌诊断的价值.方法 2004年6月至2006年1月间的65例胰腺癌患者和25例慢性胰腺炎患者行EUS-FNA,采用电化学发光法对EUS-FNA活检物的离心上清进行CEA、CA19-9检测,并与该患者外周静脉血清中的CEA、CA19-9进行对比和分析.随后对临床可疑胰腺癌而EUS-FNA病理学检测阴性的12例的病例进行随访,观察该方法诊断胰腺癌的敏感性.结果 (1)胰腺癌患者中EUS-FNA标本中CEA和CA19-9均高于血清(P＜0.01).慢性胰腺炎患者EUS-FNA标本与血清中的CEA(P=0.122)和CA19-9(P=0.035)都没有明显差别.(2)对于EUS-FNA标本,胰腺癌中的CEA、CA19-9高于慢性胰腺炎(P＜0.01).对于血清标本,慢性胰腺炎与胰腺癌中的CEA没有明显差别(P=0.079),胰腺癌中的CA19-9高于慢性胰腺炎患者(P＜0.01).(3)12例可疑胰腺癌随访后确诊10例为胰腺癌,2例为慢性胰腺炎.对于胰腺癌的诊断,血清CEA的敏感性为30%,血清CA19-9为70%;EUS-FNA活检物中CEA和CA19-9的预测敏感性均为90%.结论 胰腺癌EUS-FNA活检物中的CEA、CA19-9对提高胰腺癌诊断的敏感性具有较高的临床实用价值,为提高胰腺癌的诊断率提供了一种新的方法.     

Comparative analysis of cancer-associated antigen CA-195, CA19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen in diagnosis,follow-up and monitoring of response to chemotherapy in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Summary To establish further the clinical significance of the CA-195 tandem immunoradiometric assay in gastrointestinal malignancies, the sera of a total of 222 subjects have been analysed and compared with assays of the classical gastrointestinal tumour markers, CA19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). CA-195 elevations above normal (>10 U/ml) were noted in 51/72 (70.8%) colorectal, 15/15 (100%) pancreatic, and in 6/12 (50%) gastric cancer patients. Whereas CA19-9 was increased (>37 U/ml) in 65%, 93%, and 42% of cases, only 54% colorectal, 45% pancreatic, and 42% gastric cancer patients had pathologically elevated serum CEA levels (>5 ng/ml). No abnormal increase of both CA-195 and CA19-9 was found in healthy volunteers, whereas 3/20 (smoking) individuals had CEA levels slightly above normal. With a 29% false-positive rate noted among 103 patients with benign gastroinestinal disorders, the specifity of CA-195 was superior to that of CA19-9 (58%) and comparable with that of CEA (31%). A significant correlation between CA-195 levels and the clinical/pathological stage of disease was noted in colorectal (P<0.01) and pancreatic cancer patients (P<0.007). Preliminary results of serial measurements of CA-195 in colorectal cancer suggest that this new marker protein, which has no cross-reactivity with CEA, may be useful as a non-invasive test for postoperative surveillance of patients to detect disease recurrence, and serve to complement (though certainly not replace) standard clinical measurements of response to chemotherapy.Abbreviation CEA carcinoembryonic antigen