Serum p53 antibody is a useful tumor marker in superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND. Patients with superficial (mucosal or submucosal) esophageal ca rcinoma (SEC) have significantly better survival rates than patients with a dvanced carcinoma. Some patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma have be en reported to test positive for serum p53 antibodies (Abs). Because very f ew patients with superficial carcinoma have been examined, the aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of serum p53-Abs in patient s with superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SESCC). METHODS. Thirty-five consecutive patients with SESCC were studied for serum compared. The relation between the presence of serum p53-Abs and p53 immun oreactivity of the resected specimens was examined. Three tumor markers (sq uamous cell carcinoma antigen [SCC-Ag], CYFRA21-1, and carcinoembryonic ant igen [CEA]): were assessed to compare their sensitivities with serum p53-Ab s. RESULTS. Fourteen of 35 patients (40%) were p53 seropositive. Relatively fe w patients tested positive for the other tumor markers: CEA, 11.4%; SCC-Ag, 14.3%; CYFRA21-1, 5.7%. There were no significant correlations between cli nicopathologic features and p53 seropositivity except for tumor location. A strong correlation between p53 immunostaining and the presence of serum p5 3-Abs was observed (P = 0.003). Of the 14 patients with seropositive result s, 12 turned seronegative after resection, and the other 2 experienced dise ase recurrence. CONCLUSIONS. Surveillance of serum p53-Abs is superior to the three tumor m arkers for detecting SESCC. This serum marker is also useful for the detect ion of p53 protein overexpression and for the monitoring of residual tumor cells. Cancer 2000;89:1677-83. (C) 2000 American Cancer Society.