Serological monitoring of advanced breast cancer treated by systemic cytotoxic using a combination of ESR, CEA, and CA 15.3: fact or fiction?

A biochemical response index using the tumour markers ESR, CEA, and CA 15.3 in combination has been evaluated in 67 patients with systemic breast cancer treated by cytotoxic therapies; 55 patients were assessable using the three markers in combination. Changes in these three markers at 6-9 and 12-15 weeks showed a highly significant correlation with the UICC assessed response at 3 and 6 months (p less than 0.001); sensitivity 100 per cent, specificity 87 per cent. Comparison of survival in patients assessed biochemically or by UICC criteria showed no significant difference either for non-progression or progression. The advantages of the biochemical assessment are that it is objective and reproducible. This index has since been used successfully in directing systemic cytotoxics.