bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Localization of Mucinous - like Carcinoma Associated Antigen (MCA) in Breast Pathology: Comparison with Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA)
Authors: Saccani Jotti G. , Fontanesi M. , Colombo A. , Valtolina M. , Tardini A. 
Published: April 2018

The topographic distribution of a mucinous-like cancer antigen (MCA) recognized by a monoclonal antibody b-12 (MAb b-12) was assessed in benign (38) and malignant (66) breast tissues. The reactivity of MAb b-12 showed a good selectivity for breast tissues, reacting both with normal tissues and breast cancer. The degree of MCA expression was evaluated in the various groups of breast pathology adopting quantitative criteria of assessment. With the criteria of evaluation adopted, strong staining was observed in 71.4% breast carcinomas. The most positive reaction was demonstrated in mucinous carcinoma. MCA distribution in breast tissue was compared with the distribution of two other antigens, CEA and TPA. Reactivity of MAb b-12 was higher than the reactivity shown by the anti-CEA and anti-TPA antibodies.
Immunoscintigraphy with 131I or 111In Labelled OC 125 F(ab')2 Fragments in Patients with Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Jiménez-Vicioso A. , Torres M. , Jiménez-Heffernan A. , Grana M.D. , Latre J.M. , Llamas J.M. , Carreras J.L. , Mateo A. 
Published: April 2018

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of immunoscintigraphy with OC 125 in ovarian carcinoma, we studied 25 patients suspected of having ovarian carcinoma or in follow-up after surgery. Fourteen patients were studied with 131I-OC 125 F(ab')2 and 11 with 111In-OC 125 F(ab')2. No differences were observed with the use of either radionuclide. Global diagnostic indexes obtained were S = 100%, Sp = 44,5% and A = 81%. The low specificity obtained was remarkable: 5 false positive results in two uterine myomas, one abscess, one follicular cyst and one granulation tissue scar. On the other hand, all lesions of ovarian carcinoma were detected. Analysis of the evolution of tumor/background (T/B) uptake ratios from the first to the second day of exploration revealed a tendency for the ratio to diminish significantly (> 15%) in false positive cases with the exception of the abscess while this did not happen in true positive cases, with the exception of a regional recurrence. Analysis of T/B ratio variations could contribute towards elevating the test's specificity.
Serum NSE, CEA, CT, CA 15-3 Levels in Human Lung Cancer
Authors: Nutini S. , Cappelli G. , Benucci A. , Catalani C. , Nozzoli F. 
Published: April 2018

The significance of neuron specific enolase (NSE) was investigated in comparison with other tumor markers (CEA, CT, CA 15-3) used in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of lung cancer. As previously described, the calcitonin assay proved to have very low sensitivity for small cell lung cancer (SCLC). The serum NSE assay was, however, shown to be a useful diagnostic aid for discrimination between histologically different lung cancers, and therefore this assay may be a valuable tool for treatment monitoring in SCLC patients. CA 15-3, also an unspecific marker, showed similar sensitivity to the NSE assay in SCLC patients, the sensitivity being higher than CEA in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
Immunoscintigraphy in Colorectal Cancer: Surgeon's Perspective
Authors: Doerr R.J. , Abdel-Nabi H. 
Published: April 2018

External immunoscintigraphy (IS) is a new imaging tool to diagnose, stage and follow-up solid malignancies. Monoclonal antibodies are raised to tumor-associated antigens, radiolabeled and when injected in the patient localize to the tumor. Detection is with nuclear medicine gamma camera. In colorectal cancer, immunoscintigraphy can be beneficial to the surgeon. With primary colorectal carcinoma, IS detects synchronous primaries, identifies lymph node metastasis, determines extent of disease and detects occult metastasis. Postoperatively, in high-risk patients (Dukes B2, B3 and C lesions) IS assists in the follow-up for recurrence. Particular advantage with IS is seen in pelvic, mesenteric and retroperitoneal recurrences. Rising serum CEA and negative conventional cross-sectional imaging can often be clarified as to site of disease with IS. IS contributes significantly to surgical decision making with alterations in management based on radiolabeled monoclonal antibody scans in 25 - 32% of primary and recurrent colorectal cancer cases.
CEA and CA 15-3 in Pleural Effusion of Advanced Breast Cancer Patients: Clinical Relevance and Diagnostic Value
Authors: Nešković-Konstantinović Z. , Tasić S. , Vuletić L. , Branković M. , Ogrizović N. , Nikolić Z. , Vlajić M. , Josifovski J. 
Published: April 2018

Serum and pleural effusion fluid were tested for CEA concentration in 83 advanced breast cancer patients, in 43 of whom CA 15-3 was also determined. All pleural effusions were clinically malignant. The sensitivity of the CEA test for the presence of pleural metastases was closer to that of the CA 15-3 test in effusion (0.59 and 0.79, respectively) than the sensitivity of CEA compared to CA 15-3 in serum (0.43 vs. 0.79). The use of two markers combined with cytology increased the diagnostic rate from 48% (cytologically positive) to 88% (cytologically positive and/or with one or both markers increased in effusion). A high diagnostic rate in cytologically negative effusions (65%), and in effusions presented as the sole metastatic involvement (100%), points to the clinical value of these two markers. Our results show that markers produced by pleural metastases may be secreted either into the effusion fluid or into serum, or both. This finding, as well as some other observations, are discussed in the present paper.
Enhancement of in vivo Monoclonal Antibody Targeting with Recombinant Interferon and Cytokines
Authors: Gasparini M. , Zampino M.G. , Maffioli L. , De Braud F. , Bombardieri E. , Buraggi G.L. 
Published: April 2018

Up to now a number of studies have been performed to determine whether the combined use of cytokines and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) directed against tumor-associated antigens (TAA) can increase the sensitivity of radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS). It well known that human natural and recombinant interferons can enhance the cell surface expression of HLA Class I and II antigens as well as some specific tumor antigens, but there is scanty and conflicting information about the expression and shedding of TAA. Some authors reported that alpha-IFN enhances the expression of a melanoma-associated antigen (MAA), recognized by conventional antiserum. Other authors have found no changes in the expression of MAA identified by MAbs (17, 18). In a pilot study on patients with malignant melanoma Rosenblum demonstrated an increase in tumor uptake of the anti-melanoma MAb 96.5 after IFN administration. In our study we performed immunoscintigraphy with the anti-melanoma MAb 225.28S in the same patient before and after IFN administration in different doses. We point out the difference in biodistribution in different organs and in blood clearance and discuss the possibility to improve the sensitivity of RIS.
MCA Serum Determination in Breast Carcinoma Patients for the Diagnosis of Bone Metastases
Authors: Dominguez-Ġadea L. , Martin-Curto LM. , Crespo A. , Avila C. 
Published: April 2018

Serum MCA levels were determined in 173 consecutive patients with breast cancer in order to assess the clinical utility of MCA for the detection of bone metastases. Bone pathology was diagnosed by scintigraphy, radiology and clinical follow-up. Metastases were found in 37 patients, benign lesions in 25, and in 111 no bone lesions were found. Eighteen of the 173 bone scans were considered indeterminate for metastases. Based on the receiver-operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis, the cut-off level for MCA was set at 20 U/ml. Only in 4 of the 37 patients with bone metastases MCA was below 20 U/ml. All 4patients had completed their chemotherapy course within six months before MCA determination. Only in 6 patients of the 136 without bone metastases MCA levels were above 20 U/ml. Of the 18 patients with indeterminate bone scans, 15 had benign lesions and all of them had MCA levels below 20 U/ml. MCA determination is a sensitive method for the detection of bone metastases in breast carcinoma. We encourage the use of this procedure for the selection of high-risk groups or as a complementary method for the interpretation of bone scintigraphy.
CA 15.3 with Urinary Calcium Excretion is Useful in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Bone Metastases from Breast Cancer
Authors: Yadav G.C. , Rao A. , Motawy M.M. , Safadi N. , Ahmed M. Jameel 
Published: April 2018

Serum levels of breast carcinoma antigen (CA 15.3) and urinary calcium excretion (UCa) were determined in 73 patients with breast cancer: 36 without bone metastases (stage I-IV) and 37 with bone metastases. The patients in the latter group were further investigated at 2,4 and 6 months from the start of treatment. Both markers showed significant elevations in the group with bone metastases (CA 15.3: P = 1.0×10–6, UCa: P = 8.6×10–9). The bone metastasis index (BMI), which represents the combination of the markers, had better diagnostic efficacy (90%) than CA 15.3 alone (84%) or UCa alone (82%). During treatment of bone metastasis, the longitudinal levels of the markers showed a highly significant association with the therapeutic response assessed by the UICC criteria. For identifying progression of disease, the diagnostic efficacy of CA 15.3, UCa and a combination of both, the so-called Biochemical Index of Response (BIR), was 65%, 70% and 79%, respectively, at two months and 89%, 84% and 92% at four months. Application of the tandem, CA 15.3 with UCa, was very useful for the detection of bone metastases and the prediction of response to therapy.
Modification of Soluble Immunological Parameters during Treatment with Interleukin-2
Authors: Abbate I. , Correale M. , Musci M.D. , Guida M. , Dragone C.D. , De Santis M. , De Lena M. 
Published: April 2018

In the present study we tested numerous soluble immunological parameters (soluble Interleukin 2 receptor, Beta 2 microglobulin, Neopterin, soluble CD8 antigen, gamma Interferon and alpha Tumor Necrosis Factor) in sera obtained from 18 advanced cancer patients during subcutaneous treatment with recombinant Interleukin 2. The treatment cycles consisted of a dose of 9×106 IU/m2 twice daily for 2 days followed by 1.8×106 IU/m2 twice daily for 5 days/week during 6 weeks. Even before therapy, neoplastic patients had higher levels of soluble Interleukin 2 receptor than a group of healthy subjects. Moreover, basal soluble CD8 antigen levels showed significant differences (p<0.01) in patients with different clinical responses (responders and non-responders). During treatment we observed a fast increase (in the first or second week) of all parameters considered; soluble Interleukin 2 receptor and soluble CD8 antigen were the markers that were best related to the course of immunotherapy. In conclusion, monitoring recombinant Interleukin 2 immunotherapy with immunological parameters in serum seems to be of interest. However, more data are necessary to confirm the real value of the single markers.
Mathematical Model Application to the Kinetic Study of Tumor Markers
Authors: Cappelli G. 
Published: April 2018

In order to overcome the inefficient cutoff criterion in the management of neoplastic patients after therapy, in follow-up, in recurrence and in monitoring treatment, we have analysed some mathematical models to evaluate serial determinations of tumor markers, with the aim to ascertain the radicality of surgery or the presence of recurrences. Since a tracer study of the biological system of tumor markers is impossible, some information, such as rate factor and half-life, is obtained by determination of the marker after radical treatment. In steady state with two or more samples in time it is possible with adequate statistical models to establish a significant increase in the marker. In recurrence, if it is true that the secretion rate of the marker by a tumor is proportional to tumor mass, then increasing concentrations of the tumor marker would be a phenotypic expression of tumor growth. Therefore some mathematical models are proposed to evaluate the kinetics of tumor growth.
Cytokeratins and Tissue Polypeptide Antigen
Authors: Sundström B.E. , Stigbrand T.I. 
Published: April 2018

Cytokeratins (CKs), which are biochemically related to intermediate filaments (IFs), form an intracellular network of filaments that is believed to participate in maintaining the structural integrity of cells. Twenty individual polypeptides, divided into two groups, constitute the cytokeratin family. Each type of epithelial cell can be characterized by its content of cytokeratin polypeptides since the expression pattern varies with the type of epithelium. During transformation of normal epithelial cells into malignant cells, the cytokeratin patterns are usually maintained. This property has enabled the use of cytokerations as histological tumor markers, especially for tumors that are not easily classified. Cytokeratins 8, 18 and 19 are the most abundant cytokeratins in carcinomas. They are released into necrotic areas and can be found intratumorally and in blood, circulating as partially degraded complexes, and can as such be used as tumor markers. Cytokeratin deposits in tumors make these structures potential targets for radioimmunodetection and immunotherapy. The usefulness of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) as a serological tumor marker has been known for a long time. TPA is a molecular complex containing CK8, 18 and 19 and determinations of TPA in serum samples can be used in the follow-up of patients with many types of cancer.
Relationship between Cytosol Tps, Tpa and Cell Proliferation
Authors: Gion M. , Mione R. , Becciolini A. , Balzi M. , Correale M. , Piffanelli A. , Giovannini G. , Jotti G. Saccani , Fontanesi M. 
Published: April 2018

The serological tumor marker tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and the more recently identified tissue-specific polypeptide antigen (TPS) have been reported to be indicators of the proliferation rate of the tumor. In the present investigation we compared the cytosol level of the two markers with the proliferative activity of the tumor measured using the 3H-thymidine labelling index. The preliminary results presented here show that higher TLI is associated with lower cytosol levels of both TPA and TPS. TPA and TPS in the cytosol were significantly associated. These findings are in agreement with the previously demonstrated association between high TPA cytosol levels and better prognosis in breast cancer. Further studies are ongoing in order to: 1. confirm these findings in a larger patient series; 2. investigate any possible prognostic indication provided by TPS; 3. evaluate any possible biological meaning of the negative association between TPA/ TPS and TLI in the cytosol of breast cancer.
Evaluation of Critical Differences of CEA and CA15.3 Levels in Serial Samples from Patients Operated for Breast Cancer
Authors: Gion M. , Cappelli G. , Mione R. , Pistorello M. , Meo S. , Vignati G. , Fortunato A. , Saracchini S. , Biasioli R. , Giulisano M. 
Published: April 2018

In the present investigation we evaluated the variability of tumor marker levels in the follow-up of patients without evidence of disease after resection of primary breast cancer. CEA and CA15.3 were measured using commercially available methods in serial blood samples collected from 170 patients. The coefficient of variation among all samples from each patient, which accounts for the total variability (analytical variability + biological variability), was widely scattered (from 4 to 99% for CEA; from 4 to 52% for CA15.3). The critical difference was calculated using the formula designed by Eraser [CD = 2.77. (CVa2 + CVb2)1/2]. It ranged from 11 to 276 for CEA and from 11 to 144 for CA15.3. From the present findings we conclude that: 1) it is possible to identify individually tailored decision criteria to evaluate tumor marker variations in the follow-up of breast cancer patients; 2) in a considerable number of cases the non-tumor-related variability is too high to allow the early identification of minor tumor marker variations that are of clinical relevance.
Cathepsin D versus Other Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer. Results and Controversies of a Multicenter Study on 2575 Cases
Authors: Pelizzola D. , Gion M. , Paradiso A. , Dittadi R. , Correale M. , Mione R. , Piffanelli A. , Paradiso A. , Correale M. , Ruggeri G. , Piffanelli A. , Giovannini G. , Messeri G. , Amadori D. , Riccobon A. , Di Fronzo G. , Cocconi G. , Camisa R. , Saccani-Iotti G. , Zibera C. , Gion M. 
Published: April 2018

The aim of this study was the survey of cathepsin D determination in a large group of patients enrolled at several centers, under the coordination of the Italian Committee for Quality Control in the Oncological Laboratory. Cathepsin D was measured with the same method-ology, under control of an intra and interlaboratory quality control program, in order to verify the comparability of cathepsin D results from different institutions and to analyze the frequency of cathepsin D positive cases in subgroups of patients stratified according to other prognostic parameters. This retrospective study included 2575 patients with primary breast cancer evaluat-ed in 10 institutions. Cytosol from tumor tissue was the substrate for biochemical cathepsin D, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor determination, with an interlaboratory quality control survey provided by the E.O.R.T.C. Receptor Group and the Italian Committee for Quality Control in the Oncological Laboratory. The results of the present study can be summarized as follows: 1) Cathepsin D is independent of menopausal status; 2) In spite of standardization of tissue handling and assay methods, different results may be obtained by different institutions. It is therefore essential that each laboratory calculates its own positive/negative cutoff values prior to any routine clinical use of the parameter. This should be a serious consideration when a multicenter study is planned.
False Positive Tumor Markers: Elevation in Patients with Breast Cancer on FAC-type Chemotherapy and Correlation with the Development of Hand-foot Syndrome
Authors: Tyshler L.B. , Longton G.M. , Ellis G.K. , Livingston R.B. 
Published: April 2018

Breast cancer patients on dose-intensive chemotherapy often have elevated tumor markers during the course of treatment. Our objective was to estimate the incidence of a “false positive” tumor marker screen and to determine whether hand-foot epithelial damage was correlated. Data from 53 patients with high risk primary breast cancer who had undergone adjuvant or neoadjuvant 5FU-containing chemotherapy (FAC or FAC plus G-CSF) for 3 to 12 months were reviewed. The relationship between tumor marker elevation and disease recur- rence, regimen intensity, and the occurrence of hand-foot syndrome was examined. Thirty-three of the 53 patients had elevated tumor markers in the absence of recurrent disease. The false positive rate was higher in patients who underwent FAC plus G-CSF chemotherapy than in patients who underwent FAC chemotherapy (92% vs 55%, p = .01). A false positive marker screen was associated with the occurrence of hand-foot syndrome even when the effect of regimen was accounted for by stratification (p=.01). Tumor marker screening of breast cancer patients on this type of adjuvant chemotherapy has poor specificity for recurrent malignancy. These data suggest tumor marker elevation may be an indicator of epithelial toxicity during chemotherapy, manifested clinically as hand-foot syndrome.
Tissue Polypeptide-Specific Antigen (Tps) Immunoassay in the Diagnosis and Clinical Staging of Prostatic Carcinoma. Comparison with Prostate-Specific Antigen (Psa)
Authors: Ceriani L. , Giovanella L. , Salvadore M. , Bono A.V. , Roncari G. 
Published: April 2018

This experimental study investigated the potential role of Tissue Polypeptide-Specific Antigen (TPS) in comparison with Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) in the diagnosis and the clinical and pathological staging of prostate cancer. Serum TPS and PSA levels were determined in 128 patients (pts) with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH; Group 1) and in 92 pts with prostate cancer (Group 2). TPS was also measured in a control group of 100 healthy subjects. Normal cutoff values of 85 U/l for TPS and 4 ng/ml for PSA were determined on the basis of ROC curve analysis. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy in the diagnosis of prostate cancer were 49%, 95% and 76% for TPS, and 84%, 90% and 87% for PSA. The combination of the two markers provided a higher accuracy (88%), improving the sensitivity of PSA, since 47% of patients with normal PSA had pathological levels of TPS. TPS showed an increase in sensitivity from low to higher stages of disease and, in patients with skeletal involvement, from small to larger numbers of bone metastases (Kruskal Wallis p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, TPS serum levels are not useful in the clinical staging of prostate cancer as they have a poorer performance than PSA. TPS was ineffective (ROC curve area=0.68) in predicting extraprostatic disease and demonstrated a reduced ability (area = 0.78) to identify skeletal involvement. Moreover, the combination of the two markers did not significantly improve the performance of PSA alone. The serum concentration of TPS in patients with localized tumors was not related to the degree of tumor cell differentiation evaluated by the Gleason score. Conclusion Our preliminary experience suggests that TPS in association with PSA may be useful at the time of diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, these preliminary data have to be confirmed by larger clinical trials and the role of this association in the clinical setting needs to be analyzed with an adequate evaluation of the cost-effectiveness ratio.
Serum CA 15.3, CEA and ESR Patterns in Breast Cancer
Authors: Rubach M. , Szymendera J.J. , Kamińska J. , Kowalska M. 
Published: April 2018

Serum CA 15.3, CEA and ESR were longitudinally determined in 298 patients with breast cancer during postsurgical follow-up and/or therapy. Observation lasted until the death of the patient or at least for three years. With regard to longitudinal serum markers and ESR curves, four different patterns have been identified: pattern I: the markers and ESR stayed at normal levels; pattern II: the markers and ESR decreased from a peak level; pattern III: the markers and ESR fluctuated widely; pattern IV: the markers and ESR increased steadily. We have looked at overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) versus longitudinal CA 15.3, CEA and ESR patterns. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that OS and RFS were significantly associated with all four patterns.
The Prognostic Significance of Increasing Marker Levels in Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients with Clinically Complete Remission, Partial Remission or Stable Disease
Authors: Van Dalen A. , Barak V. , Cremaschi A. , Gion M. , Molina R. , Namer M. , Stieber P. , Sturgeon C. , Einarsson R. 
Published: April 2018

TPS, CA 15-3 and CEA were determined in metastatic breast cancer patients during treatment. After six months of follow-up the patients were divided into four groups according to the UICC criteria for treatment response. Forty-six patients with a more favorable prognosis (complete remission, partial remission or stable disease) were followed for an extended period. In 30 of the 46 patients at least one marker had increased at the end of the six-month period by at least 25% (TPS in 54%, CA 15-3 in 20%, CEA in 20%). All these 30 patients subsequently developed progression. The prognostic sensitivity was 83%, 30% and 30%, respectively, for TPS, CA 15-3 and CEA. The combination of TPS and CA 15-3 showed a sensitivity of 96%. The median lead time was about 8 months for TPS and CA 15-3, but less than 50% of the patients showed a lead time for CA 15-3 as compared to TPS. We conclude that TPS and CA 15-3 determinations are helpful for the prediction of progression during the follow-up of breast cancer patients.