Carcinoembryonic antigen surge in metastatic colorectal cancer patients responding to irinotecan combination chemotherapy.
OBJECTIVE
Oxaliplatin (OXA)-induced carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) surge was reported to be associated with a clinical benefit. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenomenon of CEA surge in irinotecan-based chemotherapy.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 132 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with irinotecan-based chemotherapy. Incidence of a CEA surge and chemotherapy efficacy were investigated.


RESULTS
Eleven of 99 eligible patients (11.1%) had CEA surges. None of the 11 patients showed progressive disease (four had a partial response, seven had stable disease).


CONCLUSIONS
A CEA surge can be induced by irinotecan-based chemotherapy. An early increase in CEA after irinotecan-based chemotherapy does not usually indicate progression of disease and failure of therapy, and should not lead to a change of chemotherapy.
An
Xin
X
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China.
Ding
Pei-Rong
PR
Xiang
Xiao-Juan
XJ
Wang
Zhi-Qiang
ZQ
Wang
Feng-Hua
FH
Feng
Fen
F
Jiang
Wen-Qi
WQ
He
You-Jian
YJ
Xu
Rui-Hua
RH
Li
Yu-Hong
YH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002166:Camptothecin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077146:Irinotecan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D000077150:Oxaliplatin; D000077146:Irinotecan; D002166:Camptothecin