Serum c-erbB-2 oncoprotein in the diagnosis of gastric cancer in comparison with CA 19-9, CEA, TPA, CA 125 and AFP.
BACKGROUND
Although many tumor markers can detect gastric cancer, they are still far from perfect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of a new tumor marker, serum c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, in patients with gastric cancer.


METHODS
We tested this tumor marker in 35 patients of gastric cancer, 13 patients of hepatoma, 13 patients of colon cancer, 8 patients of lung cancer, and 22 patients without malignancy (4 of acute pancreatitis, 10 of benign gastric ulcer and 8 normal subjects) between July and December 1991. A newly developed enzyme immunoassay kit was used to assay serum c-erbB-2 oncoprotein.


RESULTS
Abnormal level of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was found in 11/32 (34.4%) of gastric cancer, 4/13 (30.8%) of hepatoma, 2/8 (25%) of lung cancer, 3/13 (23.1%) of colon cancer, 0/3 (0%) of gastric lymphoma, and 4 of non-malignant conditions (18.2%). Six tumor markers were assessed at the same time in 32 patients of gastric cancer. The abnormal level for CA 19-9 was found in 13/32 patients (40.6%); for TPA: 9/32 (28.1%); for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein: 11/32 (34.4%); for CEA: 8/32 (25%); for CA 125: 2/32 (6.3%); and for AFP: 1/32 (3.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
C-erbB-2 oncoprotein is a new tumor marker. Practical application needs further mass survey.
Perng
C L
CL
Department of Medicine, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Lin
H J
HJ
Lee
S D
SD
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000097:blood*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D010455:Peptides; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins