title: [Assay of serum elastase 1 in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: diagnostic value, compared and combined study with serum CEA and CA 19-9].
abstract: Serum elastase 1, CEA and, CA 19-9 titers were determined by radioimmunoassay in 113 patients with benign non pancreatic digestive disease, 88 patients with non pancreatic carcinoma, 25 patients with chronic pancreatitis and 40 patients with pancreatic carcinoma (of whom 34 were classified according to Fortner's staging classification), respectively: a) to evaluate the diagnostic value of elastase in pancreatic carcinoma, b) to compare and to study the value of its association with CEA and CA 19-9 for earlier detection of this type of cancer. The specificity of serum elastase (greater than 500 ng/dl) was greater than that of CA 19-9 (greater than 37 U/ml), (93.3 p. 100 vs 64.6 p. 100, p less than 0.01), but its sensitivity was significantly lower than that of CA 19-9 (27.5 p. 100 vs 82.5 p. 100; p less than 0.001). The sensitivity of CA 19-9 (greater than 37 U/ml) and/or elastase (greater than 500 ng/dl) was 85.2 p. 100 (greater, but not significantly, than CA 19-9 alone) and 91.6 p. 100 in Fortner stage I or II tumors (greater, but not significantly, than Fortner stage III tumors which were at 83.6 p. 100). The specificity of the combined test was 62 p. 100, lower (but not significantly) than CA 19-9 alone. As serum CEA (greater than 5 ng/ml) alone and in association with CA 19-9 was disappointing, it might be replaced by the elastase assay. The combined CA 19-9-elastase assay coupled with morphologic investigations could represent an attractive approach for earlier detection of this cancer.
authors.affiliation: Clinique Médicale A, Centre Hospitalier Régional, Angers.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Charneau
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Douay
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daver
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boyer
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase / Q000097:blood*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D010196:Pancreatic Elastase
vernacular_title: Dosage sérique de l'élastase 1 dans l'adénocarcinome du pancréas: intérêt diagnostique, étude comparée et combinée avec l'ACE et le CA 19-9 sériques.