Multivariate biochemical indicators of breast cancer: An evaluation of their potential in routine practice

A vertical study has been made of the frequency of abnormalities of the levels of 3 tumour related antigens (CEA, βHCG and casein), 2 serum enzymes (gamma glutamyltranspeptidase and alkaline phosphatase), 4 acute phase reactant proteins (haptoglobin, acid glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin and antitrypsin) and a random study of C-Reactive protein in 429 women attending a breast clinic. Whilst the frequency of abnormality increases with tumour load, these parameters seem unable to discriminate high risk groups Stages II and III from benign breast disease. The women are heterogenous with respect to their individual marker profiles. Elements within this panel of potential markers could be used to design a profile for longitudinal monitoring of recurrence in certain high risk groups, but as yet they do not appear to warrant their introduction into routine medical practice until they have been proven to aid clinical decision making.