Evaluation of serum tumor markers as adjuncts in NSCLC management

OncotargetJun 20 2024

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 15 on June 13, 2024, entitled, "Assessment of serum tumor markers CEA, CA-125, and CA19-9 as adjuncts in non-small cell lung cancer management."

Conventional tumor markers may serve as adjuncts in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management. In this new study, researchers Scott Strum, Mark Vincent, Meghan Gipson, Eric McArthur, and Daniel Breadner from the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London Health Sciences Centre, and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland analyzed whether three tumor markers (CEA, CA19-9, and CA-125) held associations with radiographic and clinical outcomes in NSCLC. 

"The aim of this retrospective study was to provide additional evidence for the clinical use of conventional serum tumor markers CEA, CA19-9, and CA-125 in NSCLC management."

It constituted a single-center study of NSCLC patients treated with systemic therapy at the London Regional Cancer Program. Serum tumor markers were analyzed for differences in radiographic responses (RECIST v1.1 or iRECIST), associations with clinical characteristics, and all-cause mortality. A total of 533 NSCLC patients were screened, of which 165 met inclusion criteria. A subset of 92 patients had paired tumor markers and radiographic scans. 

From the latter population, median (IQR) fold-change from nadir to progression was 2.13 (IQR 1.24–3.02; p < 0.001) for CEA, 1.46 (IQR 1.13–2.18; p < 0.001) for CA19-9, and 1.53 (IQR 0.96–2.12; p < 0.001) for CA-125. Median (IQR) fold-change from baseline to radiographic response was 0.50 (IQR 0.27, 0.95; p < 0.001) for CEA, 1.08 (IQR 0.74, 1.61; p = 0.99) for CA19-9, and 0.47 (IQR 0.18, 1.26; p = 0.008) for CA-125. 

"In conclusion, tumor markers are positioned to be used as adjunct tools in clinical decision making, especially for their associations with radiographic response (CEA/CA-125) or progression (CEA/CA-125/CA-19-9)."