Adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix: prognostic significance of pretreatment CA 125, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, and carcinoembryonic antigen levels in relation to clinical and histopathologic tumor characteristics

Article Abstract:

Often treatment decisions for patients with cervical cancer are made on the basis of probabilities determined by histopathological examination. Improvements in prognostic testing might improve clinical outcomes by focussing more aggressive therapy upon those patients most likely to need it; this accounts for the current interest in tumor markers as possible prognostic tools. To determine the potential usefulness of tumor markers in cases of cervical carcinoma, three established tumor markers were measured prior to therapy: CA 125, carcinoembryonic antigen, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen. The levels of carcinoembryonic antigen in the blood were found to be of little prognostic significance. However, among patient with stage IB cervical cancer, elevated levels of CA 125 were associated with a five-year survival of 52.4 percent; 95.6 percent of patients with normal CA 125 levels survived five years or more. Likewise, patients with elevated CA 125 were more likely to have lymph node metastases than patients with normal CA 125 levels (42 percent versus 4 percent). Among advanced stages of cervical carcinoma, the tumor marker was of less significance. Presumably, this was due to the poor prognostic indication of the stage itself, which may overwhelm the potential significance of other factors. It is clear, however, that patients with early stage cervical cancer should be considered for more aggressive therapy if their serum levels of CA 125 are elevated above 16 units per milliliter. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prognosis, Cervical cancer, Tumor antigens, Tumor markers, CEA (Oncology), Carcinoembryonic antigen

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Elevated levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen in patients with a benign disease of the skin

Article Abstract:

A tumor-associated antigen, originally designated TA-4, has been isolated from cervical squamous cell cancer. This antigen, now known as squamous cell cancer (SCC) antigen, may prove to be a valuable indicator of recurrent cervical cancer. However, in the monitoring of patients for recurrent tumor, a patient was found with severe psoriasis who had high levels of SCC antigen in her blood. This observation prompted the evaluation of other patients with non-cancerous skin disease for the presence of SCC antigen. Thirty patients with psoriasis, 15 with severe eczema, and 21 with miscellaneous non-cancerous skin conditions were examined. Of the thirty psoriasis patients, 25 had elevated levels of SCC antigen. Twelve of fifteen eczema patients had elevated SCC antigen, as did seven of those with miscellaneous dermatoses. Tissue specimens of psoriatic skin showed intense staining with antibody to the SCC antigen, which included intensely staining macrophages. This observation suggests that tissue damage may be liberating antigen into the extracellular matrix of the skin. Clearly, in cases where SCC antigen is being monitored as an indicator of cervical carcinoma recurrence, the presence of possibly conflicting dermatoses must be considered. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Skin diseases, Psoriasis, Eczema, Squamous cell carcinoma antigen

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T-lymphoblastic and peripheral T-cell lymphomas in the northern part of the Netherlands: an immunologic study of 29 cases

Article Abstract:

T-lymphoblastic lymphomas are tumors composed of T-cells, a type of white blood cell, in the lymphatic system. Twelve cases of T-lymphoblastic lymphoma and 17 cases of peripheral T-cell lymphoma were analyzed for clinical signs, histological (tissue) type, and immunological features. The ever-growing availability of monoclonal antibodies to T-cell surface antigens has permitted more precise definition of the antigenic characteristics of T-cell tumors. Although a total of 17 different antigenic properties were examined, there were few clear-cut trends. It is clear, however, that in the examination of lymphomas with immunological techniques, the presence of no single antibody is sufficient for reliable diagnosis. Furthermore, T-cell lymphomas that have a high grade of malignancy tend to lose the characteristic T-cell marker antigens. Curiously, as the T-cell lymphomas lose the specific T-cell markers, they are more likely to express Ki-1, a marker originally believed to be specific for the Read-Sternberg giant cells seen in Hodgkin's disease. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, Monoclonal antibodies

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