DETERMINATION OF SERUM TUMOR-MARKERS TPS AND CA-15-3 DURING MONITORING OF TREATMENT IN METASTATIC BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS

Serum levels of tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS), a cytokerat in 18 marker, and CA 15-3 were determined in 42 patients with metastat ic breast cancer during routine treatment follow-up. At the time of pr oved metastatic disease, 86% of the values for TPS were above the uppe r reference value as compared to 93% for CA 15-3. The combined use of TPS and CA 15-3 increased the overall sensitivity. The levels of the t umor markers followed the course of disease during a follow-up period of 6-10 months, even though the dynamics of the changes of tumor marke rs levels differed in some patients. An increase in the tumor marker l evel of 25% or more was seen in 60% (TPS) and 52% (CA 15-3), respectiv ely of the studied patients. TPS appeared to indicate changes faster t han CA 15-3. The overall results of this study suggest the combined us e of TPS and CA 15-3 in the monitoring of breast cancer patients is pr eferable.