Sequential carcinoembryonic antigen levels. A predictor of response and relapse in combination chemotherapy of advanced gastrointestinal cancer.
Serial determinations of plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were assayed for 34 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer undergoing 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C combination chemotherapy. 21 patients (62%) had an objective response and the CEA level was decreased in 12. After chemotherapy was initiated a rise in CEA level occurred on the average 6.5 months later, while the mean time to clinical relapse was 8 months. 5 patients (15%) had stable disease; the CEA level was decreased in 2. In 8 patients (24%) with progressive disease, the mean time for a rising CEA level was 3 months. In our view, a change in the CEA level reflects the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008937:Mitomycins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D011379:Prognosis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D008937:Mitomycins; D005472:Fluorouracil