Tumor markers as prognostic factors in treated non-small cell lung cancer

The usefulness of tumor markers in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is not well defined. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value for response to treatment and prognosis of pretreatment concentrations of tumor markers. The pretreatment levels of CEA, CA125 and CYFRA21-1 were determined by electrochemoluminiscence in 48 patients with advanced stage (IIIA-IV) NSCLC treated with platin-based chemotherapy. The sensitivity for CYFRA21-1, CA125 and CEA was 66.7%, 45.8% and 47.3%, respectively. The predictive factors for non-response to treatment were CA125 > 35 KU/L (OR = 5.36; p = 0.017) and presence of metastasis (OR = 6.92; p = 0.007). The prognostic factors for survival were Performance Status > 1 (HR = 4.22; p = 0.0002), presence of metastasis (HR = 3.1; p = 0.0028) and CA125 > 35 KU/L (HR = 2.33; p = 0.02). In conclusion, CA125 is a predictive factor for response to treatment and a prognostic factor for survival in patients with NSCLC treated with chemotherapy.