Relation between ultrastructural presence of CEA using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method and tissue and serum levels of CEA in patients with breast cancer.

Ultrastructural studies were performed to detect the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in breast cancer by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. The evidenced presence of CEA was compared with the serum and tissue concentrations. A correlation between the presence of CEA at the ultrastructural level and tissue concentration was observed but not with serum levels. These studies revealed positive immunocytochemical staining for CEA when antigen concentration was 700 ng/g tissue and the reaction was strongly positive when the concentration was greater than or equal to 2000 ng/g tissue.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alphafetoprotein (AFP) alpha and beta subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in cerebrospinal fluid of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma levels of CEA, AFP, alpha and beta hCG were determined by radioimmunoassay in 19 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). CSF in 15 patients at the onset of ALL was examined in the first week after diagnosis and subsequently every two months. In 4 other children in second complete remission of ALL, CSF was examined every two months as well. Elevated values of CEACSF were present in 1/15 patients at the onset of ALL, of AFPCSF 0/15, alpha hCGCSF in 2/15, beta hCGCSF in 2/15 cases. The elevated levels of these markers in CSF became normal in successive lumbar punctures and none of these children developed central nervous system (CNS) relapse in further follow-up. Isolated CNS relapses were diagnosed 13 times in 7 children. Elevated CEACSF levels were found in 6/13 cases (maximum, 25.0 ng/ml) and in one patient CEACSF levels correlated well with pleocytosis. Elevated AFPCSF values were present in 0/13 cases, alpha hCGCSF in 0/13 and beta hCGCSF in 3/13 patients and became normal by the next CSF examination. The determination of CEA, AFP, alpha and beta hCG in plasma did not play a role in monitoring CNS relapse in ALL patients.

Carcinoembryonic antigen, alphafetoprotein and alpha and beta subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin in plasma of children with acute leukaemia.

The plasma carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein and the alpha and beta subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 44 children with acute leukaemia. These markers were determined repeatedly every 3 months at different stages of the disease (at onset, in complete remission, during bone marrow and extramedullary relapse). Elevated CEA levels were present in 64% of children at the onset of acute leukaemia and during bone marrow relapse. Elevated CEA levels decreased during induction treatment and they became normal with attainment of complete remission. In 7/12 patients who developed bone marrow relapse elevated CEA levels and in 4 of them raised levels appeared 3-4 months before there had been any other evidence of relapse. In 6/13 patients with extramedullary relapse, elevated CEA levels were found. AFP, alpha and beta hCG values in different stages of the disease were elevated sporadically; they did not reflect the activity of leukaemia.