Menstrual cycle dependent variability for serum tumor markers CEA, AFP, CA19-9, CA 125 and CA 15-3 in healthy women

Information on menstrual cycle dependent variation of tumor markers in heal thy women is a subject of diagnostic efficiency and has an impact in elucid ating the normal function of these markers. In this study midfollicular and midluteal concentrations of serum CEA, AFP, CA19-9, CA 125, CA 15-3 and th eir relations with LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone were eval uated during ovulatory cycles in a group of 23 healthy female individuals. Samples were collected on the 7(th) and 21(st) day of the same menstrual cy cle. Tumor marker and hormone concentrations were determined with chemilumi nescence or electrochemiluminescence EIA methods. A significant phase-depen dent difference was observed for CA15-3, midluteal concentrations (mean+/-S EM; 26.33 +/- 1.56 U/ml) higher than the midfollicular (mean +/- SEM; 19.27 +/- 1.49 U/ml) concentrations (p < 0.001). But an obvious difference for o ther tumor markers investigated did not exist. Significant correlations of follicular and luteal CA 125 levels with body mass index of the subjects we re observed (r:0.52, p < 0.05 and r:0.57, p < 0.005, respectively). CA 15-3 antigen is a product of the MUC-1 gene which is expressed in abundance by endometrial epithelial cells in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle which may be the potential source of variability. The association of CA 125 levels with obesity suggests a possible role of adipose tissue in CA 125 m etabolism. In conclusion our data suggest that in healthy women serum CA 15 -3 levels are significantly elevated in the midluteal phase of the menstrua l cycle compared to midfollicular phase. Therefore, consideration of menstr ual cycle dependent variability for CA 15-3 appears indicated in interpreta tion of individual results.