SIGNIFICANCE OF CA 125 AND CEA AS BIOMARKERS IN ASSESSING PROGRESS OF TREATMENT FOR CERVICAL CANCER

Background: Cervical cancer (CC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, with more than 80% of these occurring in developing countries that have limited access to screening programs. Therefore there is a need to develop diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers which can be quantifiable and help clinical oncologists at the first interaction with the suspected patients. The aim of this study was to correlate the serum markers with the diagnosis of distant metastasis, disease recurrence, therapy monitoring and prognosis of the cervical cancer.

Methods: The study group consisted of 50 metastatic cervical cancer patients and 50 benign cervical cancer patients in the age group of 20-80 years. Blood samples (5ml) were collected for analysis after Informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to sample collection. The markers (CEA and CA125) were analyzed by ELFA and sandwich ELISA methods respectively and compared to their reference values.

Results and conclusion: Statistical analysis of the results showed that the incidence of the disease showed a direct correlation with the age of the patients. The study also confirmed that elevated serum CA125 and CEA levels warranted further clinical management. It is concluded that CA125 and CEA are useful tumor markers not only for patients in clinical remission following treatment but also as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers.