Serum levels of TAG 72 and CA 15.3 in patients with gynaecological neoplasms.
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.
Correale
M
M
Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, Oncology Institute of Bari, Italy.
Abbate
I
I
Catino
A
A
Tedone
T
T
Musci
M D
MD
Dragone
D
D
Gargano
G
G
Izzi
G
G
Cramarossa
A
A
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
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D006023:Glycoproteins; C047052:tumor-associated antigen 72