CLINICAL RELEVANCE OF SEROLOGICAL MARKERS IN THE DETECTION AND FOLLOW-UP OF PANCREATIC ADENOCARCINOMA

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a relatively common malignancy and its in cidence is increasing. Prognosis in these patients is poor, and surger y, the only effective treatment, saves only a minority of patients. Th e number in this small group of patients might be increased by early d etection of pancreatic tumours. This review examines the current statu s of pancreatic tumour associated proteins in the detection of pancrea tic cancer. As well as existing markers, the review also reports on ne wer markers that may offer advantages over existing ones in the detect ion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. This is particularly important becau se recent studies have identified high-risk groups susceptible to panc reatic cancer. Future research in pancreatic cancer should be directed at earlier detection, and tumour markers may play an important role i n this process.