Consensus of the Spanish society of laboratory medicine and the Spanish society of medical oncology on the methodology and criteria for evaluation of circulating tumour markers in breast cancer

The measurement of circulating tumour markers (TMs) for the diagnosis or monitoring of breast cancer has sometimes been considered of limited utility. In addition to the overinterpretation of irrelevant changes in marker levels, the characteristics of the patient, the disease or other pathologies that can modify them are often not considered in their evaluation. On the other hand, there are recent data on the relationship of TMs with molecular subtypes and on their prognostic value, the knowledge of which may improve their clinical utility. This consensus article arises from a collaboration between the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQCML) and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). It aims to improve the use and interpretation of circulating TMs in breast cancer. The text summarizes the current knowledge and available evidence on the subject and proposes a series of recommendations mainly focussed on the indication, the frequency of testing and the factors that should be considered for correctly interpreting changes in the levels of TMs (AU)

Consensus of the Spanish society of laboratory medicine and the Spanish society of medical oncology on the methodology and criteria for evaluation of circulating tumour markers in breast cancer.

The measurement of circulating tumour markers (TMs) for the diagnosis or monitoring of breast cancer has sometimes been considered of limited utility. In addition to the overinterpretation of irrelevant changes in marker levels, the characteristics of the patient, the disease or other pathologies that can modify them are often not considered in their evaluation. On the other hand, there are recent data on the relationship of TMs with molecular subtypes and on their prognostic value, the knowledge of which may improve their clinical utility. This consensus article arises from a collaboration between the Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQCML) and the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM). It aims to improve the use and interpretation of circulating TMs in breast cancer. The text summarizes the current knowledge and available evidence on the subject and proposes a series of recommendations mainly focussed on the indication, the frequency of testing and the factors that should be considered for correctly interpreting changes in the levels of TMs.

[S100 protein in tumours of the central nervous system]. / Proteína S100 en tumores del sistema nervioso central.

OBJECTIVE: S100 protein has been detected in glials cells. The subject of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of serum levels of S100 as tumor marker for the screening diagnosis and follow up in patients with CNS tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 57 patients were studied with tumors of the CNS: 24 multiform glioblastomas (GM), 11 anaplastic astrocytomas (AA), 3 oligodedrogliomas, 1 pinealoblastoma, 3 neurinomas, 1 low grade glioma and 13 brain metastasis of other extraneural primary tumors. 25 healthy people have been taken as control group. The S100 was analyzed by an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) with 125 Iode. The cut off value was 0.2 g/L. RESULTS: The presurgical mean serum values of S100 didn t differ of the mean values of the control group (0.08 and 0.07 g/L, respectively). In the surgical treated patients with residual tumoral or recurrent tumors, the values of S100 increases to 38.9% in GM, 57.11% in AA and 76.9% in brain metastasis. In GM the serum values are significantly higher in patients with active tumor before receiving treatment with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or radiosurgery (p < 0.05). The values decreses to normal levels after response to oncological therapies. During the follow up (mean 551 days), the global sensitivity of S100 for progression of the disease was 47.5% and specificity was 90% with a correspondence between S100 and disease s evolution of 56%. CONCLUSIONS: S100 protein is not useful in the initial diagnosis of tumoral disease but it could be of help in the follow up of the disease because it decreases with successful treatments and increases at the time when the tumor progress.

Proteína S100 en tumores del sistema nervioso central / S100 protein in tumours of the central nervous system

Objetivo. La proteína S100 se detecta en las células gliales. El propósito de este estudio es evaluar la utilidad de la S100 sérica como marcador tumoral en el diagnóstico, seguimiento y monitorización de pacientes con tumores del sistema nervioso central (SNC). Pacientes y métodos. Se han estudiado 57 pacientes con tumores del SNC: 24 glioblastomas multiformes (GM), 11 astrocitomas anaplásicos (AA), tres oligodendrogliomas, un pinealoblastoma, tres neurinomas,ungliomade bajo grado y 13 metástasis cerebrales de otros tumores primarios. Se ha analizado la S100 en 25 personas sanas que se han tomado como grupo control. La determinación de S100 se ha realizado mediante un ensayo inmunorradiométrico (IRMA) con yodo 125, y se ha tomado como valor de corte 0,2 µg/L. Resultados. Los valores medios de la concentración sérica de S100 preoperatorios no difieren de los del grupo control (0,08 y 0,07µg/L, respectivamente). En los pacientes operados con restos tumorales y en los pacientes recidivados, la S100 se eleva: 38,9 por ciento en los GM, 57,11 en los AA y 76,9 por ciento en las metástasis cerebrales de otros tumores. En los GM, los valores séricos de S100 se elevan más significativamente en los pacientes con tumorantes de recibir tratamiento con quimioterapia, radioterapia o radiocirugía (p < 0,05). Los valores se normalizan con la respuesta a las terapias. Durante el seguimiento (media de 551 días), la sensibilidad global de la S100 para la progresión de la enfermedad fue del 47,5 por ciento, con una especificidad del 90 por ciento y una concordancia de S100 con la situación de la enfermedad del orden del 56 por ciento. Conclusiones. La S100 sérica no es útil en el diagnóstico inicial del tumor, pero podría ayudar en el seguimiento de la enfermedad, ya que su concentración disminuye con los tratamientos efectivos y se eleva cuando la enfermedad progresa (AU)