scholarly journals Two Patients with Extremely Elevated Tumor Markers: Where Is the Malignancy?

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick P. J. van der Veek ◽  
Wouter H. de Vos tot Nederveen Cappel ◽  
Alexandra M. J. Langers ◽  
Bart van Hoek

Serum tumor markers are useful to evaluate a cancer's response to treatment, for early detection of cancer relapse, and, in some cases, to diagnose malignancy. In this paper, we present two patients with significantly elevated serum tumor markerswithoutevidence of malignant disease. An 18-year-old patient suffering from autoimmune hepatitis had markedly increased alpha-fetoprotein (aFP) levels (2,002 μg/L; normal <10 ug/L). Extensive imaging showed no signs of hepatocellular carcinoma or other cancer, and treatment with Prednisone led to rapid normalization of both liver enzymes and aFP. The second patient, a 60-year-old female with painless jaundice due to biliary stone disease, had very high serum levels of CA19-9 (18,000 kU/L, normal <27 kU/L). Liver biochemistry and serum CA19-9 concentration decreased to almost normal values (45 kU/L) after biliary stenting. These cases demonstrate that serum tumor markers can be elevated in benign disease and are therefore not appropriate to diagnose cancer.

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Sun Kyung ◽  
Joong Sub Choi ◽  
Seung Hwa Hong ◽  
Hak Soon Kim

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical value of serum tumor markers in patients with ovarian mature cystic teratoma (MCT). We retrospectively evaluated 163 women who underwent surgery for MCT of the ovary between March 2003 and August 2007 and who provided preoperative blood samples for the measurement of CA 19-9 and CA 125. The rates of elevated serum CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels were 31.9% (52/163) and 13.5% (22/163), respectively. The rate of ovarian torsion was 12.9% (21/163). There were significant differences between the elevated CA 19-9 group and the normal CA 19-9 group in the diameters of the tumors and the rates of ovarian torsion. Elevated serum CA 19-9 levels correlated with larger tumor diameters and higher torsion rates. CA 19-9 may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of ovarian MCT. Elevated CA 19-9 levels appear to correlate with larger tumor diameters and higher rates of ovarian torsion.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e15621-e15621 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Lee ◽  
Y. Yuh ◽  
S. Kim

e15621 Background: Though serum LDH level is frequently elevated in the patients with advanced gastric cancer, its clinical significance is still elusive. Moreover, the relationship between the change of serum LDH level after chemotherapy and the response to the treatment has not been studied, yet. We analyzed serum LDH level as a prognostic factor for the patients with advanced stomach cancer. Methods: We assessed serum LDH level before chemotherapy for the patients who were planned to receive palliative chemotherapy. We re-assessed their serum LDH level at the time when the response to chemotherapy was evaluated after 2–4 cycles of treatment. The survival duration and the response to chemotherapy for the patients with low serum LDH level were compared to the survival duration and the response to chemotherapy for the patients with high serum LDH level. The relationship between the change of serum LDH level and the response to the treatment was evaluated, too. Results: Total 118 patients were entered into this study and 114 patients were evaluable for their response to chemotherapy. Pre-treatment serum LDH level was normal in 88 patients and elevated in 30 patients. The response rate in the patients with high serum LDH level was significantly higher than the response rate in the patients with normal serum LDH level (34.5% versus 15.3%, p < 0.05). However, the patients with normal serum LDH level lived longer than the patients with high serum LDH level (median: 378 days versus 206 days, p < 0.001). The normalizing of the elevated serum LDH level after chemotherapy was related to the good response to treatment (response rate 50.0% versus 18.8%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: For the patients with advanced gastric cancer, high serum LDH level was related to better response to chemotherapy but shorter survival duration. The normalization of elevated serum LDH level after chemotherapy was related to good response to treatment. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 4530-4530
Author(s):  
Angela Q. Qu ◽  
Susanna J. Jacobus ◽  
Sabina Signoretti ◽  
Edward C. Stack ◽  
Katherine Maragaret Krajewski ◽  
...  

4530 Background: Neoadjuvant (NA) ddMVAC in patients (pts) with MI-UC is associated with significant pathologic response (PaR) and radiologic response (RaR). We examined the frequency of PaR and RaR as well as the level of serum and tissue biomarkers in correlation with DFS. Methods: Pts treated on phase II prospective study of NA ddMVAC (4 cycles) in MI-UC were evaluated for RaR (at least >50% decrease in the primary tumor and nodes after chemotherapy, with delayed enhancement of residual disease) and PaR (p<T1N0M0). Elevated serum tumor markers (CA125, C19-9 and ßHCG) at baseline and Day 1 of each cycle were documented. Expression level of baseline DNA ERCC1 protein in tumor biopsy tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry based on H-score <0.1 (negative) vs. >0.1 (positive). Fisher’s Exact test was used to evaluate association with response. Post-surgery DFS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared between response and biomarker groups using the logrank test. Results: Of 39 pts (cT2:42%, cT3:42%, cT4:16%, and cN1:45%), 49% (90% CI 35-63) experienced PaR, and 62% (90% CI 47-75) achieved RaR after ddMVAC chemotherapy. Pts who achieved PaR experienced a DFS advantage, with 18-month DFS of 78% (95% CI 47-92) vs. 48% (95% CI 18-74) in those who did not (p=0.146). Those achieving RaR had a significantly longer DFS (p=0.006), with 18-month DFS of 87% (95% CI 57-97) vs. 29% (95% CI 5-60) in those who did not. Among 10 pts with any elevated serum tumor marker at baseline, only 2 pts showed normalization, both without a PaR. ERCC1(+) tumors were not associated with PaR, pT0 or RaR. DFS by ERCC1status was inconclusive due to limited sample size. 18-month DFS was 91% (95% CI 51-99) in ERCC1(+) tumors vs. 63% (95% CI 29-85) in ERCC1(-) tumors. Conclusions: ddMVAC achieves significant PaR and RaR in MI-UC pts that translates into a post-surgery DFS advantage. ERCC1(+) was not associated with response. More effective biomarkers of platinum response are needed to select pts most likely to benefit from NA therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT00808639.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 5052-5052
Author(s):  
Maximilian Peter Johannes Karl Brandt ◽  
Christian Guido Ruf ◽  
Klaus Peter Dieckmann ◽  
Isabella Syring ◽  
Christian Ruckes ◽  
...  

5052 Background: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) in clinical stage I (CSI) are tumors confined to the testis without evidence of metastasis. Around 50% of all TGCT patients present with elevated serum tumor markers (TM) such as alpha-feto protein (AFP), beta-humanochoriongonadotropin (ß-HCG) and lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH). After ablatio testis, TMs usually return to normal according to half-life kinetics, however, in clinical stage IS (CSIS) TMs remain elevated or increase after surgery. Follow-up data on CSIS is scarce and our study aims to assess clinical characteristics and oncologic outcomes in a large TGCT cohort. Methods: In this multicenter study we collected data from 5 tertiary referring hospitals in Germany, included patients with CSIS and evaluated TM levels, treatment and the primary outcome relapse-free survival. False CSIS was defined as documented CSIS but TMs that returned to normal after respective half-life kinetics. Differences between predefined groups (chemotherapy, TM, true/false CSIS) was analyzed with fisher’s exact and chi-square test. Results: Overall, 2616 patient data files were analyzed. Forty-three patients (1.6%) were documented as CSIS of which 27 (63%) were true and 16 (37%) false CSIS. Six (14%) had seminomas and 37 (86%) non-seminomas. In the true CSIS group AFP, ß-HCG, AFP plus ß-HCG and LDH were elevated in 13, 6, 3 and 2 cases. Four true CSIS patients received surveillance, 21 had 3x or 2x courses of BEP (bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin) and 2 carboplatin. Within the false CSIS group, 2 patients were treated with surveillance, 10 received 3x BEP, one 3x PEI (cisplatin, etoposide and ifosfamid) and 3 had carboplatin. Chi-Square test revealed no difference between true or false CSIS classification in respect to application of chemotherapy (any chemotherapy, p = 0.83). Relapse-free survival after 5 and 10 years was 88.9% and 77.8%, respectively. Three patients in the true CSIS group relapsed (2 seminomas had carboplatin, 1 non-seminoma had surveillance). All relapses were treated with 3 courses of BEP with no documented death in the CSIS population. Conclusions: Overall, less than 2% of all TGCT were documented CSIS of which 37% were falsely classified. We report a high proportion of relapse-free survival in CSIS treated with surveillance or BEP with a high heterogeneity in treatment patterns. Correct classification of CSIS remains of critical importance to avoid toxicity for patients that could be safely treated with surveillance.


1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bente Rasmusson

Abstract. In 12 patients treated 2 to 58 months previously for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid, basal serum concentrations of calcitonin, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide, glucagon, insulin, and pancreatic polypeptide were measured in search of any correlation between these and the clinical course of the disease. All patients had elevated serum calcitonin levels indicating present disease. One patient had increased serum concentrations of several hormones. Another had achlorhydria and high serum gastrin levels. No relationship between calcitonin and gastro-intestinal polypeptides was found in 11 patients. No correlations were found between serum levels of polypeptides and the occurrence of diarrhoea in 5 patients. It is concluded that gastro-intestinal polypeptides, which are produced by other apudomas, are not secreted in more than normal concentrations under basal conditions, by the majority of patients previously treated for medullary carcinoma of the thyroid.


2016 ◽  
Vol 242 (8) ◽  
pp. 859-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Ometto ◽  
Lara Friso ◽  
Davide Astorri ◽  
Costantino Botsios ◽  
Bernd Raffeiner ◽  
...  

Calprotectin is a heterodimer formed by two proteins, S100A8 and S100A9, which are mainly produced by activated monocytes and neutrophils in the circulation and in inflamed tissues. The implication of calprotectin in the inflammatory process has already been demonstrated, but its role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and monitoring of rheumatic diseases has gained great attention in recent years. Calprotectin, being stable at room temperature, is a candidate biomarker for the follow-up of disease activity in many autoimmune disorders, where it can predict response to treatment or disease relapse. There is evidence that a number of immunomodulators, including TNF-α inhibitors, may reduce calprotectin expression. S100A8 and S100A9 have a potential role as a target of treatment in murine models of autoimmune disorders, since the direct or indirect blockade of these proteins results in amelioration of the disease process. In this review, we will go over the biologic functions of calprotectin which might be involved in the etiology of rheumatic disorders. We will also report evidence of its potential use as a disease biomarker. Impact statement Calprotectin is an acute-phase protein produced by monocytes and neutrophils in the circulation and inflamed tissues. Calprotectin seems to be more sensitive than CRP, being able to detect minimal residual inflammation and is a candidate biomarker in inflammatory diseases. High serum levels are associated with some severe manifestations of rheumatic diseases, such as glomerulonephritis and lung fibrosis. Calprotectin levels in other fluids, such as saliva and synovial fluid, might be helpful in the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases. Of interest is also the potential role of calprotectin as a target of treatment.


Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 2179
Author(s):  
Maria Kercheva ◽  
Anna M. Gusakova ◽  
Tamara R. Ryabova ◽  
Tatiana E. Suslova ◽  
Julia Kzhyshkowska ◽  
...  

Background: Bone morphogenetic proteins-2 and -4 (BMPs) have been implicated in left ventricular remodeling (LVR) processes such as an inflammation and fibrogenesis. We hypothesized that this knowledge could be translated into clinics. Methods: We studied the dynamics of serum levels of BMPs, its correlation with markers of LVR and with parameters of echocardiography in patients (n = 31) during the six-month follow-up period after myocardial infarction (MI). Results: Elevated serum levels of BMPs decreased by the six-month follow-up period. BMP-2 decreased from the first day after MI, and BMP-4 decreased from the Day 14. The elevated level of BMP-2 at Day 1 was associated with a lower level of troponin I, reperfusion time and better left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF) at the six-month follow-up. Elevated serum level of BMP-4 at Day 1 was associated with a lower level of a soluble isoform of suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), age and reperfusion time. An elevated level of BMP-2 at the six-month follow-up was associated with higher levels of BMP-4, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hCRP) and sST2. High serum level of BMP-2 correlated with high levels of hCRP and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 on Day 7. High serum level of BMP-4 correlated with low levels of hCRP, MMP-9 at Day 3, sST2 at Day 1 and with decreased LV EF on Day 7. The findings of multivariate analysis support the involvement of BMP-2 in the development of post-infarction LVR. Conclusions: Our research translates experimental data about the BMPs in the development of adverse LVR into the clinic. Elevated serum levels of BMPs decreased by the end of the six-month period after MI. BMP-2 decreased from the first day and BMP-4 decreased from Day 14. BMP-2 and BMP-4 were associated with the development of LVR. Their correlations with markers of inflammation, degradation of the extracellular matrix, hemodynamic stress and markers of myocardial damage further support our hypothesis. Diagnostic and predictive values of these BMPs at the development of post-infarction LVR in vivo should be investigated further.


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