Determination of tissue polypeptide antigens (TPA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum: its value in the preliminary cancer risk assessment in asbestos exposed workers.

Seeking the changes at the cellular level or at the level of cellular metabolism products, present in the biological fluids, in order to detect early stages of the carcinogenic process is an essential step in preventing cancer development among asbestos exposed workers. Carcinogenic biomarkers such as tissue polypeptide antigens (TPA) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were found very useful in this attempt. The objective of this work was to identify individuals at critical cancer risk in the population of workers exposed to asbestos and to evaluate the value of TPA and CEA determinations for this particular purpose. The study was carried out in the group of workers exposed to asbestos (n = 274). Age, exposure duration, smoking habits and the kind of job performed, were considered in the analysis of the results. To sum up, it should be concluded that in 22 persons exposed to asbestos TPA values exceeded the cut off concentrations, established on the basis of the studies performed in the control group, and CEA value accounted for 10 ng/lm. Statistically significant differences in the percentage of TPA increased values between two groups under study were indicated. Such a relationship did not apply to CEA. In the exposed group, an evident effect of the age and exposure duration on the number of persons with TPA concentrations above the cut off, was also revealed. These changes show a growing tendency and statistical significance for TPA only. Smoking had a great impact on the occurrence of TPA increased concentrations. Three kinds of jobs were considered: operation of the production line, white collar workers and miscellaneous'. The significant differences in TPA concentrations between the operators and miscellaneous, and between white collar workers and miscellaneous were found. Therefore, it may be concluded that a similar percentage of TPA increased values was observed in the group of operators and white collar workers. The study allowed to identify, among those exposed to asbestos, 22 persons who should be covered with target medical care. It also indicated that TPA determination was more useful than that of CEA in this kind of investigations.