Circulating CA 15.3 as a tumor marker in breast cancer patients: an evaluation of CA 15.3 as a tumour measlier in breast cancer

ABSTRACT

CA 15. 3 is an antigen expressed by human breast carcinoma cells and defined by two monoclonal antibodies; 115 D[8] and DF[3]. We used Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay [ELISA] to determine the antigen levels in plasma of 50 woman divided into 5 groups; 10 healthy women as controls [Group [I]], 10 patients with benign breast diseases [Group [II]], 10 patients with ovarian, endometrial or cervical [non breast cancer] [Group [Ill]], 10 patients with operable mammary carcinoma [Group [IV]] and a further 10 patients with dissiminated breast carcinoma [Group [V]]. Plasma CA 15. 3 level was [13. 1 +/- 3. 28 u/ml] in. group [I], [10 +/- 4. 03 u/ml] in group [II], [16. 3 +/- 4. 97 u/ml] in group [Ill], [21. 2 +/- 5. 94 V/ml] in group [IV] and [69. 7 +/- 5. 57 u/ml] in group [V]. Our results showed that, circulating CA 15. 3 antigen level agreed with the stage of breast cancer and may be regarded as a useful guide in surveillance of breast cancer patients. Despite this still there is 40% of advanced mamary carcinoma patients had CA 15. 3 levels similar to that of normal healthy control and must be regarded as an antigen negative