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Changes in soluble CEA and TIMP-1 levels during adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer
Bahir Aldulaymi1, Ib J Christensen, György Sölétormos
1Department of Surgery, Hillerød Hospital, DK-3400 Hilleroed, Denmark.
Background:
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) has been suggested to be a valuable marker in colorectal cancer (CRC), but the effects of chemotherapy on TIMP-1 levels are unknown. The present study evaluated the effect of chemotherapy on TIMP-1 levels in comparison with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in patients with stage III colon cancer.
Patients And Methods:
Thirty patients who had been curatively resected for stage III colon cancer were included. The patients received 10-12 cycles of modified FOLFOX6 regimen. Blood samples were collected before and after the first and the second cycle and three months later.
Results:
No significant change could be detected in CEA levels while TIMP-1 raised significantly after the second cycle but returned to normal 3 months later.
Conclusion:
Plasma CEA levels are stable during adjuvant chemotherapy while the plasma level of TIMP-1 might be directly affected by chemotherapy represented by a transient rise about 2 weeks following the initiation of treatment.
