Initial TPS serum level as an indicator of relapse and survival in colorectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
Tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) measures a soluble fragment of cytokeratine 18 and may be regarded as a proliferative marker.


METHODS
TPS was measured in 173 consecutive patients with colorectal cancer. Median follow up time was 36 months. Of 137 evaluable patients 39 developed metastases (P.D.) and 98 remained with no evidence of disease (N.E.D.).


RESULTS
Initial TPS levels were elevated in 75% of P.D. patients compared to 32% of N.E.D. patients (p < 0.001), CEA levels were elevated in 26% of P.D. patients had elevated initial TPS compared to 35.5% of N.E.D. patients (p < 0.001), CEA was elevated in 33.3% of the P.D. patients compared to 1.3% of N.E.D. patients (p < 0.001). Survival and disease free survival were significantly shorter for patients with initial high TPS level. TPS was more sensitive than CEA in predicting relapse.


CONCLUSIONS
These preliminary data suggest that TPS may be a prognostic factor for relapse and may help to allocate Dukes'B2 patients for adjuvant chemotherapy.
Rabin Medical Center, Petah-Tikva Israel.
M
M
Mishaeli
B
B
Klein
E
E
Sadikov
I
I
Bayer
R
R
Koren
R
R
Gal
E
E
Rakowsky
I
I
Levin
B
B
Kfir
J
J
Schachter
T
T
Klein
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D010455:Peptides; C089984:tissue polypeptide specific antigen