CYFRA21-1 as a serum tumor marker for follow-up patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate serum soluble fragments of cytokeratin 19 (i.e., CYFRA21-1) as a tumor marker for patients with squamous cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). PATIENTS & METHODS: A total of 152 patients with SCLC and OSCC, and 84 control patients were included in the study. CYFRA21-1 concentration was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. RESULTS: As the disease stages increased, concentrations and sensitivity of CYFRA21-1 increased significantly in patients with SCLC and OSCC. A significant difference in sensitivity between the pretherapeutic group and recurrence group of OSCC (p = 0.001) was observed, as well as for SCLC (p = 0.024). A positive correlation (p = 0.042) existed between CYFRA21-1 concentrations and cancer stage of SCLC and OSCC. There was no significant correlation between CYFRA21-1 concentrations and different organ types with squamous cell cancer (p = 0.51). CONCLUSION: The CYFRA21-1 assay demonstrated a greater sensitivity for recurrent stages of SCLC and OSCC, and may prove beneficial in the prediction of SCLC and OSCC recurrence at an earlier date.