Zeitschrift für klinische und zelluläre Immunologie
Offener Zugang
ISSN: 2155-9899
ISSN: 2155-9899
Azza Farag Said, Emad A Abd-Elnaeem, Bahaa Ibrahim Mohamed, Ashraf A Ewis and Hager Yehia Mohammed
Background: The diagnostic value of serum tumor markers, such as cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) and carcino embryonic antigen (CEA) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been established. Only few studies have focused on the prognostic values of these two markers.
Objective: This study was designed to verify the prognostic significance of serum CYFRA 21-1 and CEA assay in patients with NSCLC.
Methods: The study population comprised of 40 patients of NSCLC (30 males and 10 females) with a mean age of 62.3yrs. Out of forty, twenty two had an adenocarcinoma and 18 had squamous cell carcinoma. Seven patients were at stage II, 24 were at stage III and 9 were at stage IV. None of the patients received any previous treatment. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan was done on baseline and every 2 months frequency to assess the objective radiological response. Twice serum samples were collected, initial collection was done before the beginning of treatment and the other collection was done after the second cycle of first line chemotherapy. Analysis was performed for CYFRA 21-1 and CEA using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Fifteen healthy volunteers with similar age and sex as the study population were selected and were used as a control group.
Results: The study revealed that 80. 8% sensitivity was observed both for CYFRA 21-1 and CEA as a predictor of favourable radiological response. The cut-off values used were 10.40 ng/ml for CYFRA 21-1 and 9.30 ng/ml for CEA respectively. Univariate regression analysis identified 3 fold improved survival for the patients with post treatment CYFRA 21-1<10.4 ng/ml (P=0.001) and CEA <9.3 (P=0.001). Performance status <2 (P=0.01)) and an early stage of NSCLC (P=0.03) were also found as significant independent factors associated with improved survival.
Conclusion: Comparable satisfactory results were found for both CYFRA 21-1 and CEA after 2 cycles of chemotherapy as prognostic markers for radiological response and survival outcomes in NSCLC.