Serial plasma carcinoembryonic antigen measurements during treatment of metastatic breast cancer
A. W. Mughal, G. N. Hortobagyi, H. A. Fritsche, A. U. Buzdar, H. Y. Yap and G. R. Blumenschein
Serial plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were measured in 167
patients with metastatic breast cancer treated with fluorouracil,
doxorubicin hydrochloride, and cyclophosphamide (FAC). In 84 patients, the
pretreatment CEA value was abnormal. Response rates and remission duration
were similar in patients with normal and abnormal pretreatment levels.
Carcinoembryonic antigen concentrations decreased in 94% of patients who
responded to FAC therapy. The duration of response was 22 months for
patients in whom the CEA levels normalized v nine months in those in whom
it decreased but never returned to normal. Increasing CEA levels correlated
with progressive disease in 87% of patients and preceded clinical evidence
of progression in 77%. Serial CEA measurements can monitor response to
chemotherapy, provide useful prognostic information of response duration,
and detect progressive disease early.
