Increased cancer antigen 27.29 (CA27.29) level in patients with mycosis fungoides.

BACKGROUND

Mycosis fungoides, also called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, comprise a group of extranodal, indolent non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of T-cell origin with primary involvement of the skin. There are few data available on tumor markers in these patients. Cancer antigen 27.29 (CA27.29), which is expressed on most carcinoma cells, is a soluble form of the glycoprotein MUC1. Measuring CA27.29 has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for monitoring disease activity in patients with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to assess whether CA27.29 levels were increased in patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and whether there was a correlation of this marker with tumor response.

METHODS

We evaluated the CA27.29 blood levels from 6 patients with advanced mycosis fungoides (who had no evidence of breast cancer) and reviewed their charts for information about history and physical examinations, laboratory data, pathology findings, and radiologic examinations.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that 3 of 6 patients with advanced mycosis fungoides had markedly elevated CA27.29 blood levels. In the two patients who had serial blood levels drawn, CA27.29 increased or decreased during treatment as the disease progressed or responded, respectively.

LIMITATIONS: This study reflects pilot data on a limited number of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations suggest that CA27.29 merits further investigation as a tumor marker in patients who have cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.