Annual Report on the External Quality Assessment Scheme for Tumor Markers in Korea (2017)

ABSTRACT

In 2017, the tumor marker program of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service was performed for tumor markers I and II. Tumor marker I comprised alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen, protein induced by vitamin K absence-II, and prostate specific antigen (PSA), and tumor marker II comprised cancer antigen (CA) 125, CA 19-9, CA 15-3, CA 72-4, and beta-2-microglobulin. Two challenges were conducted with three pooled serum or control materials, except for the first tumor marker I challenge. In total, 648 institutions participated in tumor marker I and 380 in tumor marker II programs. The response rates were 92.9%–97.0%. The coefficients of variation (CVs) were different depending on tests and samples, and average CVs were 3.7%–16.8%. The average CV of CA 72-4 tests, whose number of participants was the smallest, was the lowest. The average CV of AFP tests, which included a sample with very high levels, was the highest.