Two Markers May Aid in Breast Cancer Detection

NEW YORK--Early detection of breast cancer may be improved whenCA 15-3 and tissue polypeptide-specific antigen (TPS) are usedin conjunction with mammography and palpation, Vivian Barak, PhD,of Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, said at the12th Annual International Conference on Human Tumor Markers.

CA 15-3 is already used routinely in Israel for breast cancerfollow-up, treatment efficacy, and early detection of recurrence,she said. Her study sought to determine whether CA 15-3 and TPSare sufficiently sensitive and specific to justify their costas tools for early detection in patients at high risk for breastcancer.

Among 182 patients, the study found a good correlation betweenthe findings of mammography and levels of CA 15-3 and TPS. Thesetwo markers were found to be more sensitive than mucin-like cancerantigen (MCA) and CA 549.

Although CA 15-3 and TPS can improve screening sensitivity whenadded to mammography and palpation, they are currently used inIsrael only in high-risk patients, and their wider usefulnessfor screening is not yet clear, she said.