tumor markers Flashcards
tumor marker methodology include all of the following except
- immunoassays
- gas chromatography
- immunohistochemistry
- enzyme analysis
- gas chromatography
which of the following tumor markers is classified as an oncofetal antigen
- CA 19-9
- CEA
- BRCA-1
- hCG
CEA
which tumor marker is associated with neuroblastoma
- CA-15-3
- CEA
- CA125
- HVA
HVA
what percent of males and females will develop invasive cancer?
42% males
38% females
list stages of cancer progression
- proliferation
- transformation
- invasion
- metastasis
- vascularization
describe the cancer staging and progression for tumors
- stage 1: localized primary tumor
- stage 2: invasion of primary tumor into blood vessels
- stage 3: migration into lymph nodes
- stage 4: metastasis and invasion into distant tissue
define tumor marker
biomarker found in the blood or tissue and when elevated is linked to cancer
describe enzyme tumor markers
- enzymes elevated non-specifically
- inc from high metabolic demand of proliferative cells
- monitor the success of therapy
describe serum protein tumor markers
- includes beta macroglobulin and immunoglobulins
- monitor therapy
describe endocrine tumor markers
- found in endocrine malignancies
ex: neuroblastomas (kids), pituitary and adrenal adenomas
ID the characteristics or properties of an ideal tumor marker
- tumor-specific
- absent in healthy patients
- readily detectable in BF
describe oncofetal antigens
- one of the first classes of tumor markers
- expressed transiently during normal development but lower in adults
- increase in tumor formation
ex: CEA and AFP
describe carbohydrate and cancer antigen tumor markers and list examples
- monoclonal antibodies directed towards specific carb or cancer antigens
- monitor treatment of tumors that secrete specific epitopes
ex: CA-125 (ovarian cancer), CA 19-9 (GI and adenocarcinoma), CA15-2 & CA27-29 (metastatic breast cancer)
describe and list receptor tumor markers
- non serological markers
- used to classify tumors for therapy
- helps choose between endocrine and cytotoxic therapy
ex: estrogen receptor
describe immunoassay test method
- common for tumor marker
- unique: assay linearity, hook effect, potential for heterophile antibodies (false pos)
describe how heterophile antibodies affect immunoassays
- heterophile antibodies are antibodies against test reagents
list common concerns w/ tumor marker immunoassay
- icterus
- lipemia
- hemolysis
- heterophile (antibody crossover)
- carry over
describe high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
- extraction process
- detects hormones and metabolites secreted by tumors
- used to help diagnose: neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma, carcinoid tumors
general neuroblastoma description
common malignant tumor in kids
high lvls of plasma epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine
measured w/ HVA
general description of pheochromocytoma
rare tumor w/ hypertension
elevated plasma metanephrines
diagnosis from HPLC
general description of carcinoid tumors
serotonin-secreting tumors from small intestine
describe immunohistochemistry
solid tissue tumor markers from aspiration
describe enzyme assays
The only enzyme specifically inc for diagnosis is PSA
- non specific assay
in what carcinoma is alpha fetoprotein increased in
HCC and germ cell tumors
regulation and physiology of AFP
- glycoprotein related to albumin
- regulated fetal onconic pressure
clinical usefulness and interpretation of AFP
- used for diagnosis/staging of HCC
- can be elevated in testicular cancer
- used with hCG for nonseminomatous tumor classification
where do HCC tumors originate
liver
- can be from chronic disease
describe clinical usefulness of AFP in relation to testicular cancer
- used for classification and monitoring
- AFP with hCG to classify nonseminomatous tumors
define seminomatous tumors
testicular cancer tumors formed direclty from malignant germ cells
define nonseminomatous tumors
testicular tumors that differentiate into other tumors
describe CA-125
- ovarian cancer
- early tumor detection
- immunoassay use OC125 and M11 antibodies
- can be used to diff between benign masses and ovarian cancer
describe HPLC testing
- high performance liquid chromatography
- extraction based on size, polarity, and charge
- detects metabolites
- necessary to diagnose: neuroblastoma, pheochromocytoma and carcinoid tumors
describe immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence
- solid tumor markers
- specific antibodies w/ tissue section for colorimetric antigen detection
describe CA 15-3
- marker for breast cancer
- regulated by MUC1(which gets measured)
- immunoassay measurment
describe CA 19-9
- pancreatic cancer marker
describe HE4
- ovarian cancer marker more specific than CA-125
describe NSE
- marker for neurodegenerative disorders
- measured in CSF or serum
