VPB 321: Animal Biotechnology (2+1)

USEFUL TUMOR MARKERS

• So far, the only tumor marker to gain wide acceptance as a screening test is Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer in men. Some people are at a higher risk for particular cancers because they have inherited a genetic mutation.
• Alpha feto protein (AFP): is a plasma protein that is normally produced by the fetus. The level of AFP goes down in baby’s blood after the birth. AFP production is essentially nil after a year of age. However, it starts up again in some diseases of liver such as, viral hepatitis , cirrhosis of liver, hepatomas, teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomas. Hence, a person’s serum AFP level can therefore be used to help detect these conditions and monitor their treatment.
• BRCA1 and BRCA2 are examples of gene mutations related to an inherited risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
• Carcinoembryonic antigen:
• Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein found in many types of cells but associated with tumors and the developing fetus. CEA is tested in blood.
• The normal range is <2.5 ng/ml in an adult non-smoker and <5.0 ng/ml in a smoker. The most common cancers that elevate CEA are in the colon and rectum.
• Others: cancer of the pancreas, stomach, breast, lung, and certain types of thyroid and ovarian cancer. Levels over 20 ng/ml before therapy are associated with cancer which has already metastasized (spread). CEA is useful in monitoring the treatment of CEA-rich tumors. If the CEA is high before treatment, it should fall to normal after successful therapy.
• Neuron-specific enolase (NSE): Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a substance that has been detected in patients with certain tumors, namely: neuroblastoma, small cell lung cancer, medullary thyroid cancer, carcinoid tumors, pancreatic endocrine tumors, and melanoma.