Correlation Between Baseline Serum Tumor Markers and Clinical Characteristic Factors in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

PURPOSE

In pancreatic cancer (PC), CA 19-9, CEA and CA 125 are the most widely used tumor markers. The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic significance of baseline levels of serum CA 19-9, CEA, and CA 125, and to evaluate the clinical significance of these markers in PC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 278 patients with advanced PC that had received first-line chemotherapy treatments were examined. Correlation analysis between the tumor markers and clinical characteristics was performed using a Pearson's Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test. A Pearson's correlation test was utilized to investigate the relationship between tumor markers and peripheral blood parameters. Univariate analysis was estimated using a Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using a Log rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.

RESULTS

Both individually and collectively, the baseline CA 19-9, CEA and CA 125 levels were positively associated with the primary tumor site ( < 0.01), liver metastasis ( < 0.05), and number of organ metastases ( < 0.05). Furthermore, CA 19-9, CEA and CA 125 were correlated to baseline WBC ( < 0.001) and LDH ( < 0.01) levels. Additionally, CA 19-9 was correlated with years of smoking ( = 0.024); diabetes and years of diabetes ( = 0.012); baseline glycemic levels ( = 0.004); and neutrophil counts ( < 0.001). Moreover, CA 125 levels were associated with the baseline neutrophil counts ( < 0.001) and peritoneal metastasis ( = 0.008). When examining neutrophil, LDH, CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels were found to be associated with overall survival (OS) and shown to be independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSION

CA 19-9, CEA and CA 125 are correlated with multiple clinical factors. Baseline neutrophil, LDH, CA 19-9 and CA 125 levels are associated with OS and may potentially serve as prognostic factors.