title: Diminution of falsely elevated tumour markers following immunosuppression for systemic lupus erythematosus with neurological involvement.
abstract: We describe the case of a patient with a long history of undifferentiated connective tissue disease who developed headache, ataxia and orofacial dyskinesia attributed to a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Gross elevation of the concentration of several plasma tumour markers (CEA, CA-125, CA19-9, CA15-3) was detected in the absence of malignancy. These markers fell significantly within a month of starting immunosuppressive therapy alongside clinical improvement. Caution should be taken in the interpretation of plasma tumour markers in patients with connective tissue disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Jersey General Hospital, Saint Helier, Jersey.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bevan
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Jersey General Hospital, Saint Helier, Jersey.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Richardson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D018396:Mucin-1