title: Serum markers of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
abstract: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare type of primary liver cancer that originates in the bile duct epithelium. It is an aggressive malignancy typified by unresponsiveness to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Despite advances in radiologic techniques and laboratory diagnostic test, the diagnosis of CCA remains highly challenging. Development in molecular techniques has led to go into the possible use of serum markers in diagnosing of cholangiocarcinoma. This review summarizes the principal characteristics of serum markers of cholangiocarcinoma. The tumour markers used frequently such as Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), Carcinogenic Embryonic antigen (CEA), and Cancer Antigen 125 have shown sufficient sensitivity and specificity to detect and monitor CCA. In particular, the combination of these tumour markers seems to increase their efficiency in diagnosing of cholangiocarcinoma. New markers such as Soluble fragment of cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA 21-1) Mucins, Tumour Markers<formula>_{2}</formula> pyruvate-Kinase (TuM<formula>_{2-}</formula> PK) and metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) have been recently shown to help in the diagnosis of CCA, with in some cases a prognostic value.
authors: International PhD Program in Neuropharmacology, University of Catania Medical School, Catania, Italy.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Malaguarnera
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Paladina
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Giordano
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Malaguarnera
authors: Gaetano
authors: G
authors: Bertino
authors: Massimiliano
authors: M
authors: Berretta
mesh_terms: D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor