Significance of serum carcinoembryonic antigen in metastatic breast cancer patients: A prospective study

doi:10.5306/wjco.v13.i6.529

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Jun 24, 2022 (publication date) through Feb 13, 2026

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World Journal of Clinical Oncology

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2218-4333

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World J Clin Oncol. Jun 24, 2022; 13(6): 529-539
Published online Jun 24, 2022. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v13.i6.529

Significance of serum carcinoembryonic antigen in metastatic breast cancer patients: A prospective study

Thattungal Manoharan Anoop, Rona Joseph P, Saikumar Soman, Steffi Chacko, Mintu Mathew

Thattungal Manoharan Anoop, Rona Joseph P, Saikumar Soman, Steffi Chacko, Mintu Mathew, Department of Medical Oncology, Regional Cancer Center, Trivandrum 695011, Kerala, India

Author contributions: Anoop TM designed the study, drafted the manuscript, and supervised the study and treatment; Joseph P R participated in the design and supervision of the study and treatment; Chacko S participated in the design of the study; Soman S was involved in data collection, analysis, and statistics; Mathew M participated in data collection; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Institutional review board statement: The study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board/EC according to the ethical norms and regulations.

Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.

Data sharing statement: Data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

CONSORT 2010 statement: The authors have read the CONSORT 2010 Statement, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CONSORT 2010 Statement.

Corresponding author: Thattungal Manoharan Anoop, MD, DM, DNB, Associate Professor, Department of Medical Oncology, Regional Cancer Center, Medical College Campus, Trivandrum 695011, Kerala, India. dranooptm@yahoo.co.in

Received: January 7, 2022
Peer-review started: January 7, 2022
First decision: April 13, 2022
Revised: April 16, 2022
Accepted: May 28, 2022
Article in press: May 28, 2022
Published online: June 24, 2022
Processing time: 165 Days and 13.7 Hours

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

In breast cancer patients, elevated serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are particularly noted in metastatic and recurrent disease and its significance in clinical practice is doubtful.

Research motivation

We aimed to estimate the serum CEA level in our metastatic breast cancer patients and correlate it with response to treatment and clinical outcome.

Research objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of serum CEA levels as a prognostic marker in metastatic breast cancer patients.

Research methods

This is a prospective clinical study of 50 patients with metastatic breast cancer treated at a breast clinic with newly diagnosed metastatic breast cancer planned for palliative chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone therapy. We estimated the proportion of patients with elevated serum CEA levels at baseline and after palliative care, and investigated the association of serum CEA levels with known prognostic factors. Response to treatment was correlated with serum CEA levels in both responders and non-responders.

Research results

Pretreatment serum CEA was elevated in luminal subtype. With treatment, responders had a significant fall in serum CEA level but it was clinically significant in luminal breast cancer type. Metastatic breast cancer patients with bone metastases had significantly elevated post-treatment serum CEA levels after treatment.

Research conclusions

Based on our results, we suggest that serum CEA has potential clinical value in monitoring the treatment response of metastatic breast cancer patients, especially in patients with bone metastasis.

Research perspectives

Serum CEA as a tumour marker warrants further studies in metastatic breast cancer especially with bone metastases.