Related Experiment Videos
Artifactual CEA elevation due to human anti-mouse antibodies
B A Morton1, M O'Connor-Tressel, B G Beatty
1Department of General Oncologic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA 91010.
Archives of Surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Elevated cancer markers like CEA may be falsely high due to human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA) after imaging with mouse antibodies. Correcting for HAMA normalizes these levels, preventing misdiagnosis in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Radiopharmaceuticals
Background:
- Monoclonal antibody (MAb) imaging is used in cancer diagnostics.
- Radiolabeled murine MAbs can induce human anti-mouse antibody (HAMA) response.
- Elevated tumor markers can impact cancer patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate artifactual elevations in carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels.
- To determine the role of HAMA in unexplained CEA elevations post-imaging.
- To assess the clinical significance of HAMA in cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 108 patients undergoing indium 111-labeled murine MAb imaging.
- Measurement of CEA levels using a commercial enzyme immunoassay.
- HAMA assessment via competitive and noncompetitive immunoassays.
Main Results:
- Eleven patients exhibited elevated CEA without evidence of recurrent disease.
- HAMA was identified in 73% of tested patients who received murine MAbs.
- Competitive HAMA assay normalized artifactually elevated CEA levels.
Conclusions:
- HAMA can cause significant artifactual elevations in CEA levels.
- Accurate interpretation of CEA requires consideration of HAMA presence.
- Identifying HAMA is crucial for appropriate cancer patient management.