title: Measurement of CEA, TPA, neopterin, CA125, CA153 and CA199 in sera of pregnant women, umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid.
abstract: The following tumor markers were determined in body fluids associated with pregnancy: carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), neopterin, CA125, CA153 and CA199. CEA levels (cut-off 5.0 ng/ml) were not elevated during gestation, whereas TPA was above cut-off (85 U/l) in 98 out of 107 cases (range 40-408 U/l). TPA was significantly higher during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy than during the 1st and 2nd trimesters. 38.3% of CA125 measurements were slightly above the chosen cut-off of 35 U/ml, and the mean concentration was 33.5 +/- 16.2 U/ml. During delivery, 14 out of 21 values (67%) were elevated. Only 9.4% of CA153 values were elevated. CA199 and neopterin were also hardly ever above cut-off. In general, there was a wide scattering of individual values. With the exception of CA153 (neopterin not determined), high concentrations of CEA (maximum: 207 ng/ml), TPA (maximum: 1,565 U/ml), CA125 (maximum: 2,371 U/ml) and also CA199 (maximum: 1,533 U/ml) were found in amniotic fluid. The distribution in mixed cord blood was similar but with more moderate elevations and a lower incidence of levels above cut-off. Thus, none of these antigens is tumor specific. The term 'tumor-associated antigen' instead of 'tumor marker' is more appropriate. CEA, TPA, CA125 and CA199, but not CA153, are oncofetal antigens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School Hannover, FRG.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lellé
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Henkel
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leinemann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goeschen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood; D019798:Neopterin; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen
chemical_list: D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D010455:Peptides; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen; C578959:carbohydrate antigen 199, human; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin