SERUM TUMOR-MARKERS IN LUNG-CANCER - HISTORY, BIOLOGY AND CLINICAL-APPLICATIONS

The association of biological markers with cancer has been recognized for many decades. Current interest in markers for cancer arose in the mid 1960s, with the discoveries of alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryo nic antigen. They were called oncofetal proteins, because of their pre sence in high concentrations during embryonic development, their virtu al disappearance in the neonatal period, and their reappearance with c ancers of specific cell types. Essentially, any molecular species may be produced in abnormal amounts or under abnormal circumstances by a t umour, and thereby become useful as a tumour marker. Several tumour ma rkers have been studied in lung cancer. Unfortunately, none of these a ppear to be sufficiently sensitive and specific to be reliable for scr eening and diagnostic purposes However,there is a body of evidence whi ch proves that at least some of these substances may be useful in the evaluation of the course and prognosis of the disease. This review pre sents data concerning the most studied and interesting tumour markets in lung cancer.