From the Guidelines
Cancer markers, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for colorectal cancer and CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 for breast cancer, are essential tools for detecting, monitoring, and managing these diseases, and should be used in conjunction with imaging studies and clinical examinations to provide the most comprehensive approach to cancer management. For colorectal cancer, the primary marker is CEA, which should be measured before treatment and then monitored every 3 months for at least 3 years after diagnosis, as recommended by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in 2006 1. CEA levels above 5 ng/mL are generally considered elevated, though this varies by laboratory. Other important colorectal cancer markers include CA 19-9, but its use is not recommended for routine screening, diagnosis, staging, surveillance, or monitoring treatment of patients with colorectal cancer 1. For breast cancer, CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 are commonly used tumor markers, with levels typically monitored every 3-4 months during treatment and follow-up, as recommended by ASCO in 2007 1. Additionally, testing for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status is crucial for determining treatment approaches. These markers work by detecting proteins or other substances produced by cancer cells or by the body in response to cancer. While these markers are valuable monitoring tools, they should not be used alone for diagnosis as they can be elevated in non-cancerous conditions and may not be elevated in all cancer patients.
Some key points to consider when using cancer markers include:
- CEA is the marker of choice for monitoring the response of metastatic colorectal cancer to systemic therapy 1
- CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 are commonly used tumor markers for breast cancer, but their use should be limited to monitoring disease progression and response to treatment, rather than diagnosis 1
- Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 status are crucial for determining treatment approaches for breast cancer 1
- Cancer markers should be used in conjunction with imaging studies and clinical examinations to provide the most comprehensive approach to cancer management
- The use of cancer markers should be guided by clinical guidelines and evidence-based recommendations, such as those provided by ASCO 1.
From the Research
Cancer Markers for Colorectal Cancer
- Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) is a recommended prognostic marker in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) for tumor diagnosis and monitoring response to therapy 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- High CEA levels are specifically associated with CRC progression and increased levels of the marker are expected to fall following surgical treatment 2, 3, 4, 5
- CEA enhances CRC metastatic potential through many ways, including protecting metastatic cells from death, changing the microenvironment of sinusoids, promoting the expression of adhesion molecule and malignant cell survival, and being considered a proangiogenic molecule 2
- CEA has also been evaluated as a target in drug delivery systems, photodynamic therapy, radioimmunotherapy, cancer imaging, and nanotechnological devices 2
Cancer Markers for Breast Cancer
- There are no research papers provided to assist in answering this question
Comparison of Cancer Markers
- CEA is a complex glycoprotein produced by 90% of colorectal cancers and contributes to the malignant characteristics of a tumor 5
- Type IV collagen, osteopontin, and hepatocyte growth factor are potential biomarkers for liver metastatic colorectal cancer 6
- The combination of osteopontin with CEA is superior to CEA alone in detecting metastatic colorectal cancer 6
- High levels of hepatocyte growth factor and type IV collagen have potential prognostic value 6