Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026
Multi-Gene Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Detection in Gastric Cancer Based on Ion Semiconductor Sequencing Platform
Published on: May 10, 2024
CEA fluctuation during a single fluorouracil-based chemotherapy cycle for metastatic colorectal cancer
Kethe Hermunen1, Caj Haglund, Pia Osterlund
1Department of Oncology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, P.O. Box 180, FIN-00029 HUS, Finland.
Background:
Carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA) is useful in the evaluation of chemotherapy response of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). We studied weekly CEA during one fluorouracil-based chemotherapy cycle, correlated with long-term (8-12 week interval) computed tomography (CT) and CEA responses.
Patients And Methods:
CEA, liver function tests and inflammatory parameters were measured prospectively at baseline, day 7, day 14, and after the cycle (day 21/28), in 60 patients with metastatic CRC.
Results:
CEA non-significantly decreased at day 7 and was increased on day 14. In progressive disease, CEA increased significantly during the evaluation cycle (55.4 μg/l vs. 148.2 μg/l; p=0.024), but the level was stable in patients with disease control (10.6 μg/l vs. 17.8 μg/l; p=0.58). CEA fluctuation correlated neither with liver function test nor with inflammatory parameters. Correlation of long-term response was most evident in progressive disease.
Conclusion:
CEA should not be measured during 5-fluorouracil-based oral chemotherapy nor within two weeks from intravenous chemotherapy administration.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
01:24Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Intermittent IV Infusions