The 5 Tumor Markers You Must Know About Lung Cancer

Mindray 2020-11-28

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5 Lung Cancer Tumor Markers

  • They are usually present at very low levels in the blood of healthy adults.
  • Elevated serum concentrations are found in lung cancer, which means that they could be used as tumor markers in clinical tests.
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NSE
  • A glycolytic enzyme expressed in brain tissue
  • Produced in neurons & malignant tumor of neuroectodermal origin
ProGRP
  • A biochemical precursor of gastrin-releasing peptide
  • Related to the histopathological classification of lung tissues
SCCA
  • A structural protein with strong homology to the serpin family of protease inhibitors
  • Reflecting the differentiation grade of squamous cell cancers
CYFRA21-1
  • A water-soluble cytokeratin-19 fragment expressed in normal squamous cells
CEA
  • One of the carcinofetal extensively glycosylated proteins produced in low amounts by the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and liver of adults
  1. The two main lung cancer types are small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).
  2. NSE/proGRP are mainly applied in SCLC while SCCA, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA are often used for NSCLC clinical utility.
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There are no ideal tumor markers for lung cancer, but these substances may serve as indicators for identifying patients suspected of having lung cancer.

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Tumor markers show considerable sensitivity in lung cancer when used alone or in group of 3 for NSCLC (CEA, CYFRA 21-1 and SCCA) and group of 2 for SCLC (ProGRP, NSE). It is possible to obtain a sensitivity higher than normal levels.

 

Numerous studies have been published regarding the utility of tumor markers in the prognosis in SCLC(NSE and ProGRP), as well as in NSCLC (CEA, CYFRA 21-1,SCCA).

  • The main interest of tumor markers evaluation in serum is in patient follow-up, mainly in those with abnormal values.
  • Patient may have a substantial reduction in marker levels.
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Tumor markers are not habitually used in patients with lung cancer. However, there are studies showing that the sensitivity and specificity of tumor markers in lung cancer are higher than, or at least similar to, the values obtained in other malignancies.

Nevertheless, tumor markers may provide very helpful aid in diagnosis, prognosis, early diagnosis of recurrence and therapy monitoring.

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Mindray Lung Cancer Panel

The 5 biomarkers provided by Mindray, as shown below, could assist doctors in the management of both SCLC and NSCLC.

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References:

1. American Cancer Society, Lung Cancer - Small Cell: Statistics, updated Jan 2020, https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/lung-cancer-small-cell/statistics
2. Joachim Schneider, Tumor Markers in Detection of Lung Cancer, Advances In Clinical Chemistry, 2006, VOL. 42. P4-19. (DOI: 10.1016/S0065-2423(06)42001-1).
3. Tumor Markers in Lung Cancer, European oncological disease 2006, P106-108. (DOI:10.17925/EOH.2006.0.2.106).