Relationship Between Levels of Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Cancer Antigen 15-3 and Clinicopathological Parameters and Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer

Background and aim of the work: Serum tumor markers; carcinoembryonic
antigen (CEA) and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) are widely used in clinical
practice for detecting recurrences or monitoring treatment efficacy for
metastatic breast cancer patients. We aimed to explore the relationship between
serum levels of CEA, CA 15-3 before neoadjuvant treatment and
clinicopathological parameters in breast cancer patients, as well as the predictive
value of these two serum biomarkers in relation to response to neoadjuvant
chemotherapy.
Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Helwan University
Hospitals from October 2022 to September 2023. It included 50 breast cancer
patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Results: Higher T status, higher LN status and higher stage were significantly
associated with higher CEA, CA 15-3 levels. While there was no statistically
significant correlation between the level of CEA, CA 15-3 and molecular type
or histopathological type. There was no statistical difference in serum levels of
CEA and CA 15-3 between patients with partial and patients with complete
response.
Conclusion: Pretreatment serum levels of CEA and CA15-3 were elevated in
the majority of breast cancer patients. Higher T status, higher LN status and
higher stage were significantly associated with higher CEA & CA 15-3 levels
which can be related to prognosis. CEA and CA 15-3 had no significant
association with molecular subtypes or response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.