Soluble receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells in pleural fluid: a potential diagnostic marker for malignant pleural effusion.
BACKGROUND
We sought a marker to differentiate malignant from nonmalignant pleural effusions.


METHODS
We studied 41 patients presenting with pleural effusions to the National Sanyo Hospital between April 2000 and January 2002 (33 men and 8 women; mean age, 68 years). Twenty patients (49%) were proven to have malignant pleural effusions, while 21 patients (51%) had nonmalignant pleural effusions. Thoracentesis was performed.


RESULTS
The mean (+/- SD) concentration of receptor-binding cancer antigen expressed on SiSo cells (RCAS1) in malignant pleural effusions, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was significantly higher than that in nonmalignant pleural effusions (15.1 +/- 33.6 vs 1.4 +/- 0.81 U/mL, respectively; p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The determination of the RCAS1 concentration in pleural fluid is informative in the diagnosis of malignant pleural effusions.
Department of Respiratory Medicine and Clinical Research, National Sanyo Hospital, Respiratory Disease Center, 685 Higashi-kiwa, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-0241, Japan. keisukeaoe@mtf.biglobe.ne.jp
Keisuke
K
Aoe
Akio
A
Hiraki
Tadashi
T
Maeda
Tomoyuki
T
Murakami
Koichi
K
Yamazaki
Kazuro
K
Sugi
Hiroyasu
H
Takeyama
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C120762:EBAG9 protein, human