Prognostic significance of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 preoperative serum levels in gastric carcinoma.

The prognostic value of preoperative serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 tumor markers was investigated in 153 patients resected for gastric cancer. The positivity rates for CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 were 20.9, 34.6 and 28.1%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis for positive levels of tumor markers indicates that CEA positivity is significantly related to the depth of invasion (p < 0.005) and the presence of distant metastasis (p < 0. 05), CA 19-9 positivity is related to nodal involvement (p < 0.05) and the depth of invasion (p < 0.05), whereas CA 72-4 positivity is influenced by tumor size (p < 0.005) and noncurative surgery (p < 0. 05). Positive levels of each tumor marker were associated with a worse prognosis if compared with negative cases using univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis of curatively resected cases identified depth in gastric wall (p < 0.0001), nodal status (p < 0. 0005), and tumor location in the upper third (p < 0.05) as significant prognostic variables; CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 serum positivity did not reach statistical significance. However, when the positivity of the three markers was associated, a p value < 0.05 was observed. The analysis of survival curves stratified by tumor stage revealed that marker positivity significantly affects survival in stages I, II and IV (p < 0.05). The combined assay of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 preoperative serum levels provides additional prognostic information in patients resected for gastric cancer; patients with preoperative positivity for one of these tumor markers should be considered at high risk of recurrence even in early stages of gastric carcinoma.     

Preoperative hCGbeta and CA 72-4 are prognostic factors in gastric cancer

In gastric cancer, the role of tumour markers in assessment of prognosis is unconfirmed. In our study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of serum tumour markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CA 242 and free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGbeta) in gastric cancer. Preoperative serum samples were obtained from 146 patients with gastric cancer, including 29 with stage I, 11 with stage II, 42 with stage III and 64 patients with stage IV cancer. Quantitation of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 72-4 and CA 242 in serum was performed with commercial assays. HCGbeta was measured with an in-house immunofluorometric assay based on monoclonal antibodies specific for the free beta-subunit of hCG. Survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier life-tables and log-rank test, and with multivariate Cox regression analysis. Disease-specific cumulative 2-year survival rate was 40%. Serum levels of CEA, CA 72-4, CA 242 and hCGbeta showed significant correlation with stage (p<0.027); for CA 19-9 the association was of borderline significance (p=0.056). Of the studied markers, CA 19-9, CA 72-4, CA 242 and hCGbeta were found to be prognostic factors in univariate analysis (p< 0.022). In multivariate analysis, stage had the statistically most significant association with prognosis followed by hCGbeta, tumour histology according to the Laurén classification and by CA 72-4. In gastric cancer, tumour markers hCGbeta and CA 72-4 are independent prognostic factors in addition to stage and histological type of the tumour.     

Serum HCG beta,CA 72-4 and CEA are independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer

In colorectal cancer, stage is considered to be the strongest prognostic factor, but also serum tumour markers have been reported to be of prognostic value. The aim of our study was to investigate the prognostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 and free beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG beta) in colorectal cancer. Preoperative serum samples were obtained from 204 colorectal cancer patients, including 31 patients with Dukes' A, 70 with Dukes' B, 49 with Dukes' C and 54 with Dukes' D cancer. The serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 72-4 were measured with commercial kits with cut-off values of 5 microg/L for CEA, 37 kU/L for CA 19-9, 20 kU/L for CA 242 and 6 kU/L for CA 72-4. The serum hCG beta was quantitated by an immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) with 2 pmol/L as a cut-off value. Survival analyses were performed with Kaplan-Meier life tables, log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. The sensitivity was 44% for CEA, 26% for CA 19-9, 36% for CA 242, 27% for CA 72-4 and 16% for hCG beta. The overall 5-year survival was 55%, and in Dukes' A, B, C and D cancers the survival was 89%, 77%, 52% and 3%, respectively. Elevated serum values of all markers correlated with worse survival (p < 0.001). In Cox multivariate analysis, the strongest prognostic factor was Dukes' stage (p < 0.001), followed by tumour location (p = 0.002) and preoperative serum markers hCG beta (p = 0.002), CA 72-4 (p = 0.003) and CEA (p = 0.005). In conclusion, elevated CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 and hCG beta relate to poor outcome in colorectal cancer. In multivariate analysis, independent prognostic significance was observed with hCG beta, CA 72-4 and CEA.     

胃癌患者血清CA72-4、CEA及CA19-9水平及其与临床病理特征的相关性

目的:探讨血清CA72-4、CEA及CA19-9水平与胃癌患者病理特征的相关性。方法:选择2011年6月-2013年3月收治的86例胃癌患者,56例胃良性肿瘤患者,60例普通胃病患者,比较三组患者CA72-4、CA19-9和CEA水平;CA72-4、CA19-9和CEA单项检测及联合检测胃癌患者的阳性率;CA72-4、CA19-9和CEA水平与胃癌病理特征的关系。结果:胃癌组患者血清CA72-4、CA19-9和CEA水平均高于胃良性肿瘤组患者（P＜0.05),胃癌良性组患者均高于对照组（P＜0.05);三种胃癌肿瘤标志物中CA72-4诊断胃癌的阳性率最高,肿瘤3项标志物的阳性检测率要显著高于单项CA72-4、CA19-9、CEA的阳性检出率（P＜0.05）;肿瘤越大、TNM分期越高,CA72-4、CA19-9和CEA水平越高。结论:采用CA72-4、CA19-9和CEA联合检测是诊断胃癌比较理想的组合。CA72-4、CA19-9和CEA水平的变化可以反应胃癌患者的病理特征。     

联合检测术前与术后CEA CA19-9 CA72-4对不同分期胃癌根治术后复发的预测价值

  目的   探讨联合检测术前、术后CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4等肿瘤标志物对不同分期胃癌根治术后复发的预测价值。   方法   回顾性分析北京大学肿瘤医院2002年1月至2007年3月收治的564例胃癌患者的临床资料及血清肿瘤标志物情况。所有患者均未行新辅助治疗,术前、术后均联合检测CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4等肿瘤标志物。分析CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4等肿瘤标志物与胃癌复发的关系。   结果   在Ⅰ、Ⅱ期胃癌患者中,CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4术前阳性的患者术后复发率分别为50.0%、24.1%、22.6%,而术后阳性的患者复发率分别为42.9%、21.7%、14.3%。在Ⅲ期胃癌患者中,CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4术前阳性的患者术后复发率分别为50.0%、55.2%、47.6%,而术后阳性的患者术后复发率分别为75.0%、66.7%、66.7%。多因素分析表明术前CEA增高是Ⅰ、Ⅱ期胃癌复发的独立影响因素,术后CA72-4增高是Ⅲ期胃癌复发的独立影响因素。   结论   对于Ⅰ、Ⅱ期胃癌,术前CEA水平是预测复发较好的因子;对于Ⅲ期胃癌,术后CA72-4水平的预测性较好。      

Serum HCG beta and CA 72-4 are stronger prognostic factors than CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 242 in pancreatic cancer

OBJECTIVE: In pancreatic cancer, the extent of the spread of the disease is considered to be the strongest prognostic factor. In addition, tumor markers, particularly CA 19-9, may also provide prognostic information. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic value of serum tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4 and hCG beta in pancreatic cancer. METHODS: Preoperative serum samples were obtained from 160 patients with pancreatic cancer, including 10 with stage I, 25 with stage II, 24 with stage III and 101 patients with stage IV cancer. Quantitation of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, and CA 72-4 in serum was performed with commercial assays. HCG beta was measured with an in-house immunofluorometric assay based on monoclonal antibodies specific for the free beta-subunit of hCG. Survival analysis was performed with univariate Kaplan-Meier life-tables and log-rank test, and with multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the tumor markers studied, CA 19-9 was most frequently elevated. Overall 2-year survival was 10%. Stage, tumor location and size, curative resection, and CEA, CA 72-4 and hCG beta were all found to be prognostic factors (p < 0.026) in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, each marker had independent prognostic value (p < 0.011) when analyzed individually but adjusting for stage. When all the covariates were included in the same model, the strongest prognostic factor was hCG beta followed by CA 72-4 and stage. The other clinical characteristics and serum tumor markers contributed insignificant prognostic information. CONCLUSIONS: All the tumor markers studied (CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, CA 72-4, and hCG beta) had prognostic value in pancreatic cancer, and hCG beta, CA 72-4, and stage were the strongest independent prognostic factors in this study.     

Evaluation of serum CEA and CA19-9 levels as prognostic factors in patients with gastric cancer

Background. This clinicopathological study evaluated the utility of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 as predictors of locoregional recurrence and long-term disease-free survival in patients with gastric cancer. Methods. During the period January 1989 to December 1994, 485 patients with primary gastric cancer were evaluated. Gastrectomies were performed in 434 patients. Prognostic factors were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis, using Cox regression. Results. Elevated serum CEA and CA19-9 levels were observed in 92 of the 485 patients (19.0%), and in 95 of the 435 patients (21.8%), respectively, and both markers were elevated in 29 of these 435 patients (6.7%). Elevated serum CEA and CA19-9 levels correlated well with lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, vessel invasion, stage grouping, depth of invasion, and curability. Patients with elevated serum CEA levels were at significantly higher risk of having all recurrence factors than were those with normal serum CEA levels. Patients with elevated serum CA19-9 levels were at significantly higher risk of having peritoneal metastases and distant metastases than were those with normal serum CA19-9 levels. A significant difference in the cumulative survival curves of patients was demonstrated between those with elevated and those with normal serum CEA or CA19-9 levels, even for patients at the same disease stage (stage III). Patients with elevated levels of both markers had a significantly worse prognosis than patients in whom the levels of both markers were normal. In patients who underwent gastrectomy, elevated serum CEA levels either preoperatively or within 3 weeks after gastrectomy were associated with significantly worse prognosis than were normal levels. When the cutoff level of serum CEA was increased to 10 ng/ml, serum CEA, age, lymph node metastasis, and surgical stage grouping were selected as independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis of 14 prognostic factors, using Cox regression. Conclusion. Serum CEA and CA19-9 levels provide additional prognostic information in patients with primary gastric cancer. In particular, an elevated serum CEA level provides additional prognostic information and is a useful indicator of curability in patients who undergo gastrectomy. Serum CEA level is an independent prognostic factor in patients with primary gastric cancer. Received: June 20, 2000 / Accepted: November 14, 2000     

CEA,CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 improve the diagnostic accuracy in gastrointestinal cancers

BACKGROUND: CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 72-4 are commonly used tumour markers for gastrointestinal malignancies. The advantage of the concomitant use of these markers is under debate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum concentrations of the markers were measured at the time of diagnosis in 161 patients with benign and 125 with malignant gastrointestinal diseases. Concomitant use of the markers was evaluated in a logistic regression model. RESULTS: CA 19-9, CA 242 or CA 72-4 showed similar sensitivity of 44% for gastric cancer, whereas CEA was elevated in 25% of the cases. In patients with colorectal cancer, CEA was most frequently elevated (54%), followed by CA 242 (46%), CA 19-9 (36%) and CA 72-4 (25%). High CA 19-9 and CA 242 serum levels were frequent in patients with cholangiocarcinoma (86% and 68%, respectively) and pancreatic cancer (80% and 63%, respectively). In the benign disease group, serum CA 19-9 was most frequently elevated, i.e. in 24%, 25% and 38% of patients with pancreatic, biliary and liver disorders, respectively. The overall accuracy of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 72-4 was 66%, 71%, 71% and 66%, respectively (p > 0.18). When combined in a logistic regression model, CA 72-4, CA 19-9 and CEA provided independent diagnostic information, whereas CA 242 contributed with independent diagnostic information only on excluding CA 19-9. The probability of cancer for each patient, calculated with the model, was applied as a diagnostic test and was compared with the single markers by ROC-curve analysis. The AUC value of the probability index was significantly higher than the values of the different tumour markers. CONCLUSION: An algorithm based on the combination of CEA, CA 19-9 and CA 72-4 improved the diagnostic accuracy in gastrointestinal tract malignancies compared with these markers alone.     

Significance of CA72-4 as a follow up of recurrent gastric cancer--comparison with CEA and CA19-9]

We studied a significance of serum CA72-4 as a follow up of recurrent gastric cancer in 24 recurrent cases with gastric cancer performed combination assay of CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4. Positive rate of CA72-4 was 58.3%, which was almost same as that of CEA. Lymph node metastasis and peritoneal dissemination were observed relatively high rate in positive cases with serum CA72-4. Comparison of an elevation time of CEA and CA72-4 in recurrent cases showed that CEA earlier than CA72-4 was 3 cases, CA72-4 earlier than CEA was 3 cases, and the others were about same. These results indicated that CA72-4 was a useful tumor marker as a follow up of recurrent gastric cancer.     

Value of Combined Detection of Serum CEA,CA72-4, CA19-9 and TSGF in the Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer

Background: To explore whether combined detection of serum tumor markers (CEA, CA72-4, CA19-9 andTSGF) improve the sensitivity and accuracy in the diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). Materials and Methods: Anautomatic chemiluminescence immune analyzer with matched kits were used to determine the levels of serumCEA, CA72-4, CA19-9 and TSGF in 45 patients with gastric cancer (GC group), 40 patients with gastric benigndiseases (GBD group) hospitalized in the same period and 30 healthy people undergoing a physical examination.The values of those 4 tumor markers in the diagnosis of gastric cancer was analyzed. Results: The levels ofserum CEA, CA72-4, CA19-9 and TSGF of the GC group were higher than those of the GBD group and healthyexamined people and the differences were significant (P<0.001). The area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curves for single detection of CEA, CA72-4, CA19-9 and TSGF in the diagnosis of GC was 0.833, 0.805,0.810 and 0.839, respectively. The optimal cutoff values for these 4 indices were 2.36 ng/mL, 3.06 U/mL, 5.72 U/mL and 60.7 U/mL, respectively. With combined detection of tumor markers, the diagnostic power of those 4indices was best, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.913 (95%CI 0.866~0.985), a sensitivity of 88.9% anda diagnostic accuracy of 90.4%. Conclusions: Combined detection of serum CEA, CA72-4, CA19-9 and TSGFincreases the sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosis of GC, so it can be regarded as the important means for earlydiagnosis.     

血清肿瘤标志物CEA、CA19-9和CA72-4在胃癌术后监测中的意义

目的研究血清肿瘤标志物CEA、CA19—9和CA72—4在胃癌术后复发、转移监测中的意义。方法采用电化学发光法检测228例手术后胃癌患者血清CEA、CA19—9和CA72—4含量;并结合临床及随访资料进行分析。结果胃癌术后复发、转移患者CEA、CA19—9和CA72—4的含量和阳性率均显著高于未发生复发、转移患者。术后复发、转移的胃癌患者血清CEA、CA19—9和CA72—4检测灵敏度和特异度分别为46．2％和94．7％,52．3％和97．4％,47．1％和90．6％。结论血清CEA、CA19—9和CA72-4升高与胃癌复发、转移密切相关,在术后随访过程中检测血清肿瘤标志物有助于早期诊断胃癌复发、转移。     

CA 72-4 measurement of tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) as a serum marker in the management of gastric carcinoma.

The presence of three distinct serum markers of carcinoma, tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72; as measured by the CA 72-4 assay), CA 19-9, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), was evaluated in 194 patients diagnosed with either malignant (n = 94) or benign (n = 100) gastric disease. Of the 94 patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoma, the percentage of patients whose serum samples were positive for TAG-72, CA 19-9, or CEA was 42.6, 31.9, and 20.2%, respectively. Furthermore, fewer false positive samples were observed for TAG-72 than either CA 19-9 or CEA. The analysis of serum TAG-72, CA 19-9, and CEA levels in patients diagnosed with early (stage I and II) versus advanced (stage III and IV) disease revealed a significantly higher level of TAG-72 and CA 19-9 in the serum of patients with advanced stage gastric carcinoma. The serum samples were also analyzed to determine whether any advantage might be gained by simultaneously measuring two or more of the tumor markers. The data clearly indicate that the measurement of TAG-72 with CA 19-9 significantly increased the percentage of gastric carcinoma patients with positive serum levels of either antigen. This advantage was achieved with no significant increase in the number of false positives. Twenty-one patients were followed postsurgically for up to 3 years to determine whether the appearance or reappearance of TAG-72, CA 19-9, or CEA accurately predicted disease recurrence. Positive serum TAG-72 levels correlated with disease recurrence in 7 of 10 patients, compared with 5 and 2 patients for CA 19-9 and CEA, respectively. The findings suggest that serum TAG-72 as measured by the CA 72-4 assay may be a useful marker for late stage gastric carcinoma and its measurement alone or in combination with CA 19-9 may have utility in the clinical management of gastric carcinoma.     

血清肿瘤标志物CEA、CA19-9和CA72-4在胃癌术后监测中的意义

目的 研究血清肿瘤标志物CEA、CA19-9和CA72-4在胃癌术后复发、转移监测中的意义.方法 采用电化学发光法检测228例手术后胃癌患者血清CEA、CA19-9和CA72-4含量;并结合临床及随访资料进行分析.结果 胃癌术后复发、转移患者CEA、CA19-9和CA72-4的含量和阳性率均显著高于未发生复发、转移患者.术后复发、转移的胃癌患者血清CEA、CA19-9和CA72-4检测灵敏度和特异度分别为46.2%和94.7%,52.3%和97.4%,47.1%和90.6%.结论 血清CEA、CA19-9和CA72-4升高与胃癌复发、转移密切相关,在术后随访过程中检测血清肿瘤标志物有助于早期诊断胃癌复发、转移.     

血清脂联素、CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4联合检测在胃癌早期筛查中的临床价值分析

目的:探讨血清脂联素、CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4联合检测在胃癌早期筛查中的临床价值。方法:选取首次确诊的早期胃癌患者60例,胃癌患者再根据幽门螺杆菌是否感染分为感染组32例与未感染组28例;胃良性疾病组患者100例;健康对照组110例。采用化学发光法检测CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4水平,ELISA检测血清脂联素水平,幽门螺杆菌检测采用C14呼气试验,比较不同分组间各指标的差异。结果:胃癌组血清CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4水平均高于胃良性疾病组和健康对照组(P<0.01),血清脂联素水平显著低于胃良性疾病组和健康对照组(P<0.01);胃癌患者幽门螺杆菌感染时,血清CEA、CA19-9、CA72-4水平明显高于未感染组(P<0.01),感染组患者血清脂联素水平与未感染组比较,无显著性差异(P>0.05);四项联合检测胃癌灵敏度最高,达96.67,特异度为98.10%,阳性预测值为93.55%,阴性预测值为99.04%,阳性似然比为50.75、阴性似然比为0.03,约登指数达0.95,ROC曲线下面积为0.955。结论:胃癌早期患者血清脂联素水平不受幽门螺杆菌感染的影响,四项联合检测可明显提高检测的灵敏度和特异度,对胃癌患者早期筛查具有较高的临床应用价值。     

血清CEA、CA125及CA72-4在胃癌腹膜转移中的临床意义

背景与目的:胃癌腹膜转移多处于疾病终末期,但每种肿瘤标志物在胃癌腹膜转移中的临床意义仍不是很明确.该研究探讨血清肿瘤标志物CEA、CA125及CA72-4在胃癌腹膜转移中的诊断价值及其临床意义.方法:收集延边大学附属医院肿瘤科2008年1月—2013年12月间经影像学、手术和病理学等检查确诊、并接受静脉及腹腔灌注化疗的108例胃癌腹膜转移患者为研究对象,分别于确诊时、每次化疗前检测血清CEA、CA125及CA72-4,分析单独、2或3种肿瘤标志物同时检测在胃癌腹膜转移的诊断敏感性,并分析其与临床病理因素、化疗疗效及生存期之间的相关性.结果:在胃癌腹膜转移患者CEA、CA125和CA72-4的阳性率各为20.4%、46.3%和45.4%,联合CEA/CA125、CEA/CA72-4、CA125/CA72-4及CEA/CA125/CA72-4的阳性率分别为54.7%、52.8%、69.5%和79.6%,3种标志物联合检测明显优于单独检测(P<0.05).CEA、CA125和CA72-4水平均与ECOG分级存在相关性(P<0.05).CA125阳性与腹水有关(P<0.001).CA72-4阳性与卵巢转移相关(P<0.05).确诊时血清CEA、CA125和CA72-4阳性患者中位生存期短于CEA、CA125和CA72-4阴性的患者(P<0.05).在3周期化疗后3种肿瘤标志物较治疗前均下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).化疗后CA125下降与腹水量的减少有明显相关性(P<0.05).确诊时肿瘤标志物阳性患者经化疗3个周期后转为阴性的患者生存期明显延长(P<0.001).结论:联合检测血清CEA、CA125和CA72-4可明显提高胃癌腹膜转移的诊断率.     

Combined Detection of CEA,CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50 in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Resectable Gastric Cancer

Our aim was to investigate the value of combined detection of serum  carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50 in diagnosis and assessment of prognosis in consecutive gastric cancer patients. Clinical data including preoperative serum CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242, and CA 50 values and information on clinical pathological factors were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were used to explore the relationship between tumor markers and survival. Positive rates of tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50 in the diagnosis of gastric cancer were 17.7, 17.1, 20.4 and 13.8%, respectively, and the positive rate for all four markers combined was 36.6%. Patients with elevated preoperative serum concentrations of CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50, had late clinical tumor stageand significantly poorer overall survival. Five-year survival rates in patients with elevated CEA, CA 19-9, CA 242 and CA 50 were 28.1, 25.8, 27.0 and 24.1%, respectively, compared with 55.0, 55.4, 56.4 and 54.5% in patients with these markers at normal levels (p<0.01). In multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses, an elevated CA 242 level was determined to be an independent prognostic marker in gastric cancer patients. Combined detection of four tumor markers increased the positive rate for gastric cancer diagnosis. CA 242 showed higher diagnostic value and CA 50 showed lower diagnostic value. In resectable gastric carcinoma, preoperative CA 242 level was associated with disease stage, and was found to be a significant independent prognostic marker in gastric cancer patients.     

The prognostic significance of preoperative serum CA 19-9 in patients with resectable gastric carcinoma: comparison with CEA

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, the prognostic value of pre-operative serum levels of tumor markers CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in gastric carcinoma which has been a controversial matter was investigated. METHODS: Preoperative serum CA 19-9 (cut-off value 37 U/ml) and CEA (cut-off value 5 ng/ml) levels were measured in 168 patients with resectable gastric carcinoma. The correlation between tumor marker levels and clinicopathological features and overall survival was studied. RESULTS: CA 19-9 and CEA positivity rates were 31.5 and 17.8% respectively. In CA 19-9 positive patients, the ratio of males, tumors exceeding subserosa and advanced stage tumors (stages III and IV) was significantly higher (P = 0.052, P = 0.0005 and P= 0.029, respectively). A weak correlation was found with CA 19-9 positivity and tumor location; however, no correlation existed between CA 19-9 positivity and age, tumor size, histologic type, lymph node, hepatic and peritoneal metastasis. The proportion of tumors extending beyond subserosa and with lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in CEA positive patients (P = 0.011 and P = 0.045, respectively). No correlation was found between CEA positivity and gender, age, tumor location, tumor size, and hepatic and peritoneal metastasis; however, a weak correlation existed between CEA positivity and histologic type and tumor stage. Overall survival was significantly poorer in CA 19-9 and CEA positive patients (log-rank test, P = 0.014, P = 0.003, respectively). However, the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis did not show independent prognostic value for both tumor markers. CONCLUSIONS: In resectable gastric carcinoma, preoperative serum CA 19-9 and CEA levels may indicate stage of the disease, but neither has an independent prognostic value.     

Comparison of Serum Assays for TAG-72, CA19-9 and CEA in Gastrointestinal Carcinoma Patients

Tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72) has been shown to beexpressed in a wide variety of epithelial malignant tissues.We have investigated serum levles of TAG-72 antigen in patientswith gastrointestinal cancer with a solid phase radioimmunometricassay (RIA), CA72-4, utiliz ing murine monoclonal antibodiesCC49 and B72.3 which recognize the TAG-72 antigen. Elevatedlevels of serum TAG-72 antigen were found in 48% of 56 gastriccarcinoma patients and 67% of 45 colorectal carcinoma patients.The serum concentrations of TAG-72 were compared to those ofCA19-9 and CEA. The positive rates of CA19-9 in gastric carcinomaand colorectal carcinoma patients were 29% and 54%, and thoseof CEA were 52% and 60%, respectively. Elevated serum levelsof TAG-72, CA19-9 and CEA were observed in 7%, 14% and 24%,respectively, of patients with benign disease, thus indicatinga preferential expression of TAG-72, compared to CA19-9 andCEA, in gastrointestinal carcinoma patients versus in patientswith benign disorder. A cocktail of CA72-4, CA19-9 and CEA RIAsincreased positive rates to 68% in sera of gastric cancer patientsand 84% in sera of colorectal cancer patients. Combination assays using CA72-4, CEA and CA19-9 RIM for patients with benigngastrointestinal disorder, however, also increased the positiverate to 31%. These results indicate that CA72-4, CA19-9 andCEA RIA may be complementary in detecting circulating tumor-associatedantigens. It must be emphasized, however, that interpretationof the data provided by the combination serum as says requirescareful consideration.     

Mucosal expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 in patients with gastritis and gastric cancer

Sixty-eight patients (45 males, 23 females) were studied in order to assess the usefulness of mucosal tissue concentrations of both carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) in detecting patients at high risk for gastric cancer. CEA and CA19-9 were assayed on cytosol obtained from multiple endoscopic biopsies of 41 patients with chronic superficial gastritis, 18 with chronic atrophic gastritis, and 9 with gastric cancer. Mucosal tissue concentrations of both CEA and CA19-9 increased from chronic superficial gastritis to chronic atrophic gastritis and to gastric cancer (p = 0.005 and p = 0.002, respectively). Mucosal CEA levels in patients with intestinal metaplasia (IM) were significantly higher than in nonmetaplastic mucosa (p = 0.04). Epithelial dysplasia was associated with higher, though not significant, tissue concentrations of both CEA and CA19-9 when compared with IM. Finally, a correlation between serum levels and tissue concentrations was observed only for CA19-9 (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.7). In conclusion, these data indicate that gastric mucosa of patients with chronic atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia express high levels of both CA19-9 and CEA.     

The prognostic significance of gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA levels in gastric carcinoma patients

AIM: The usefulness of gastric juice CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma is controversial. There is only one study related with their prognostic value. In this study the clinical significance of gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA levels in patients with gastric carcinoma was investigated. METHODS: Preoperative serum and gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA concentrations were measured in 139 patients with gastric carcinoma, 54 patients with benign gastroduodenal disease and as the 'healthy' control group 46 patients with inguinal hernia and with no other pathology. RESULTS: In all groups the mean gastric juice levels of CA 19-9 and CEA were significantly higher than the serum levels. The gastric juice CA 19-9 levels were not different between groups. Gastric juice CEA levels of the gastric carcinoma group were significantly higher than those of the benign gastroduodenal disease group (P=0.007) and had a tendency to increase when compared to those of the control group (P=0.064) whereas there was no significant difference between the benign gastroduodenal disease and the control group. The cut-off values of gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA were 440U/ml and 320ng/ml and the positivity ratios of these markers in gastric carcinoma patients were 16.5 and 27.3%, respectively. There was no significant relationship between the histopathological features and the gastric juice CA 19-9 or CEA positivities. Neither univariate analysis nor the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed prognostic value for gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA positivities. CONCLUSIONS: The gastric juice CA 19-9 and CEA levels have no diagnostic and prognostic significance in gastric carcinoma patients.