Prognostic efficacy of TPS in breast cancer

In this retro-/prospective study, we evaluated the prognostic potential of pretreatment levels of Tumor Markers (CA15-3, CEA, TPS) in 67 advanced brea st cancer patients (pts) treated by Taxol which were followed up for 4 year s. Univariate analysis of pretreatment marker levels (accepted cut-off leve rs) showed significance for TPS and CEA only, but not for CA15-3 (The marke r for routine treatment monitoring). Median survival time of pts with pre-T axol low levels of TPS and CEA were 21.3 months and 16,5 months as opposed to high marker levels; 9.0 months and 9.7 months - respectively. Survival w as best correlated to low TPS treatment entering levels. TPS retained signi ficance also in the multivariate Cox's regression analysis, with a relative risk of death of 2.3 vs 1. We conclude that TPS provides the most importan t information for prognosis in advanced breast cancer pts treated by Taxol.