title: Serum levels of TAG 72 and CA 15.3 in patients with gynaecological neoplasms.
abstract: In the present report we have evaluated two new serum tumour markers identified by monoclonal antibodies: TAG 72 and CA 15.3 in 62 patients with gynaecological carcinomas, in prevalence ovarian and 36 women with benign gynaecological diseases. Serum levels of both markers were determined using two immunoradiometric assays and the cut-off values were set at 5 U/mL for TAG 72 and at 40 U/mL for CA 15.3. In our study the sensitivity was 57% for TAG 72 and 43% for CA 15.3 with a specificity of 97% and 89% respectively. Even if these two markers show a sensitivity lower than CA 125, these preliminary results seem to suggest the possible role of TAG 72 and CA 15.3 both as confirmatory tests and as adjunctive tests, especially the first for its excellent specificity.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Oncology Institute of Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Correale
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Catino
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tedone
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Musci
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dragone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gargano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Izzi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cramarossa
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000276:immunology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D006023:Glycoproteins; C047052:tumor-associated antigen 72