[Serum anti-p53 antibodies and CEA in monitoring of recurrences of colorectal cancer].

INTRODUCTION

Little is known regarding the behaviour of serum anti-p53 antibodies (p53 Ab) in postoperative follow-up of patients with colorectal carcinoma and whether it can be used as an additional marker. The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of p53 Ab and CEA level for postoperative monitoring of recurrence or metastasis in patients after surgery due to colorectal cancer with normal pre-operative CEA levels and anti-p53 anitbodies.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The research group consisted of 124 patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed on the basis of histopathological or cytological examination. Colonoscopy, abdominal ultrasound, serum CEA and anti-p53 antibody tests were done at the time of diagnosis and every 6-month from surgery.

RESULTS

The occurrence of recurrence or metastasis was preceded by the appearance of anti-p53 antibodies 6 months earlier on average, in 5 patients, and the increased CEA level was preceded 9 months earlier on average, in 7 patients. The relationship between the increased CEA level and the occurrence of recurrence or metastasis was statistically significant (p < 0.0001); however statistically significant relationship was not found in the case of anti-p53 antibodies assessment. Performing these two tests simultaneously, at the same time with the same patients caused the increase of accuracy of recurrence or metastasis from 0.45 to 0.68.

CONCLUSION

Multiple assessments of both serum p53 Ab and CEA during postoperative monitoring increase the probability of early detection of recurrence or metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer and normal CEA level before surgery.