The Open Breast Cancer Journal

2011, 3 : 29-30
Published online 2011 October 31. DOI: 10.2174/1876817201103010029
Publisher ID: TOBCANJ-3-29

Clinical Utility of Monitoring Serial CA 27.29 in Patients with Different Stage of Breast Cancer

Vikas Ghai , Kamal Sharma , Kamal K.S. Abbi and Harold A. Harvey
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Hershey, PA, USA.

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer is by far the most frequent cancer in women, worldwide and ranks third overall when both sexes are considered together. For many malignancies, serum tumor markers play an important role in patient management. MUC-1 glycoprotein based serum markers (CA15-3 and CA 27.29) are assays approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for monitoring patients with advanced breast cancer. Potential applications include early detection of recurrent disease and monitoring treatment efficacy in patients with advanced disease. While retrospective data regarding the role of CA27.29 correlates well with progression and treatment of metastatic breast cancer, a multicenter prospective study to further assess the role of CA 27.29 for monitoring of locally advanced disease is warranted.