title: Serological monitoring of advanced breast cancer treated by systemic cytotoxic using a combination of ESR, CEA, and CA 15.3: fact or fiction?
abstract: A biochemical response index using the tumour markers ESR, CEA, and CA 15.3 in combination has been evaluated in 67 patients with systemic breast cancer treated by cytotoxic therapies; 55 patients were assessable using the three markers in combination. Changes in these three markers at 6-9 and 12-15 weeks showed a highly significant correlation with the UICC assessed response at 3 and 6 months (p less than 0.001); sensitivity 100 per cent, specificity 87 per cent. Comparison of survival in patients assessed biochemically or by UICC criteria showed no significant difference either for non-progression or progression. The advantages of the biochemical assessment are that it is objective and reproducible. This index has since been used successfully in directing systemic cytotoxics.
authors.affiliation: City Hospital, Nottingham, U.K.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jönrup
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Badley
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Blamey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen