A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF TUMOR-MARKERS OF PROLIFERATION, DIFFERENTIATION, AND TUMOR IMMUNOLOGY IN BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS

Background - TPA is marker of proliferation, in contrast to CA-15.3 and beta-2m which are markers of differentiation and tumor bulk. We have compared TPS to CA-15.3 in breast cancer patients. Methods - Serum levels of TPS, CA-15.3 and beta-2 microglobulin (beta-2m) were measured in 120 breast cancer patients and in 59 controls, using ELISA assays. Results - There was a significant difference between patients and controls with respect to the 3 markers. When new patients were compared with patients on long-term follow-up and patients with metastatic disease, a significantly higher TPS level was found in the last group than in new patients and in those on follow-up. Similar pattern was also observed for CA-15.3. For beta-2m the new patients had similar levels to the metastatic patients and both differed significantly from those on long-term follow-up. In metastatic patients TPS was elevated in 85% compared with 64% for CA-15.3, and 67% for beta-2m. Twenty patients from the new and follow-up groups developed metastasis. Although elevated levels of the markers were seen in some patients at diagnosis of the disease, these levels could not predict relapse. Conclusions - TPS measurement may be useful in monitoring the course of the disease and identifying patients who develop metastases in whom CA-15.3 is not elevated. This will enable the response to therapy to be followed.