Changes in soluble CEA and TIMP-1 levels during adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer.
BACKGROUND
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) has been suggested to be a valuable marker in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effects of chemotherapy on TIMP-1 levels are unknown. The present study evaluated the effect of chemotherapy on TIMP-1 levels in comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with stage III colon cancer.


METHODS
Thirty patients who had been curatively resected for stage III colon cancer were included. The patients received 10-12 cycles of modified FOLFOX6 regimen. Blood samples were collected before and after the first and the second cycle and three months later.


RESULTS
No significant change could be detected in CEA levels while TIMP-1 raised significantly after the second cycle but returned to normal 3 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma CEA levels are stable during adjuvant chemotherapy while the plasma level of TIMP-1 might be directly affected by chemotherapy represented by a transient rise about 2 weeks following the initiation of treatment.
Aldulaymi
Bahir
B
Department of Surgery, Hillerød Hospital, DK-3400 Hilleroed, Denmark.
Christensen
Ib J
IJ
Sölétormos
György
G
Jess
Per
P
Nielsen
Svend Erik
SE
Brünner
Nils
N
Nielsen
Hans J
HJ
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000097:blood*
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D009944:Organoplatinum Compounds; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D002955:Leucovorin; D005472:Fluorouracil