Abstract
The usefulness of serum measurements of mucin-like carcinoma associated antigen (MCA) in 100 women at presentation with breast cancer was evaluated. Peripheral venous blood was drawn and MCA values determined by radioimmunoassay. Twenty women presenting with benign breast disease and 20 normal women served as controls.
There was no difference in the MCA values between the benign breast disease group and the normal group: 4.1 ±0.9 units/ml versus 5.0 ±0.75 units/ml (mean ±sem). The following were the MCA values for patients by stage; stage 1: 11.2 ±1.02, stage 2: 11.0 ±1.29, stage 3: 20.2 ±6.7, stage 4: 31 ±5.0. Statistical analysis of stage versus controls showed significant elevations only in stage 3 and 4 disease (p<0.05). We conclude that MCA may be a useful serum tumour marker only in advanced breast cancer but is unreliable in detection of early breast cancer.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lamerz, R., Leonardt, A., Ehrhart, H., Lieven, H. V. CEA as a monitor of metastatic breast disease. In: Carcino-Embryonic Proteins: Chemistry, Biology, Clinical Applications. F. G. Lehman (ed.), Elseiver/North Holland Biomedical Press, N.Y., 139, 1979.
O’Brien, D., Horgan, P. G., Gough, D. B., Skehill, R., Grimes, H., Given, H. F. Cal5-3: a reliable indicator of metastatic bone disease in breast cancer patients. Ann. Roy. Coll. Surg. Engl. 1990; 74: 9–12.
Stahli, C., Takacs, B., Miggiano, V., Carmann, H. MAb against breast cancer antigens. Experientia 1985; 41: 1377–1381.
Biegelmayer, C., Szepesi, T., Nuenteufel, W., Nowotny, C. A monoclonal antibody defined breast tumour associated antigen and its relationship to CA15-3. Tumour Biol. 1989; 10: 232042.
Donadeo, A., Micelli, G., Quaravta, M., Atlante, A., Schittulli, F. MCA performance in preoperative breast cancer patients. Anticancer Res. 1995; 15: 527–529.
Depres-Brummer, P., Itzhaki, M., Bakker, P. J., Hoek, F. J., Veenhof, K. H., deWit, R. The usefulness of CA15-3, mucin-like carcinoma associated antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen in determining the clinical course in patients with metastatic breast cancer. J. Cancer Res. Oncol. 1995; 121:419–422.
Giovagnoli, M. R., Reale, G., Cosentino, L. et al. Evaluation of the expression of tissue DF-3 and MCA and the corresponding serum values in patients with breast carcinoma. Int. J. Biol. Markers 1994; 9: 140–144.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Horgan, P.G., Byrne, J., O’Donoghue, J. et al. Mucin-like carcinoma associated antigen (MCA) at presentation with breast cancer. I.J.M.S. 166, 215–216 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02944236
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02944236