Related Experiment Videos
Serum sialic acid--an important cancer marker
S L Tewarson1, V P Mittal, M Singh
1Christian College Campus, Gaughat, Allahabad, U.P., India.
Indian Journal of Cancer
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Total serum sialic acid (TSA) and the TSA/TP factor show promise as sensitive cancer markers. These markers can help detect malignancy and monitor cancer progression, even if not entirely specific.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Cancer diagnosis relies on specific biomarkers.
- Tumor burden and metastasis can alter serum protein levels.
- Sialic acid levels are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Total Serum Sialic Acid (TSA), Lipid Associated Sialic Acid (LASA), Total Protein (TP), and the TSA/TP factor as potential cancer markers.
- To assess the correlation of these markers with cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment efficacy.
- To compare marker levels in cancer patients with healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of TSA, LASA, and TP in serum samples from 78 cancer patients and 30 healthy controls.
- Analysis of marker levels before and after treatment, considering varying degrees of metastasis.
- Calculation of the TSA/TP factor for enhanced diagnostic potential.
Main Results:
- All cancer patients exhibited significantly elevated TSA and TSA/TP factor levels, with decreased serum TP.
- Increased TSA and TSA/TP levels correlated directly with the degree of metastasis (tumor burden).
- LASA levels did not show a significant change; TSA/TP levels decreased post-effective therapy.
Conclusions:
- TSA and the TSA/TP factor are sensitive, though not entirely specific, markers for malignancy detection.
- These markers are valuable for monitoring cancer progression, recurrence, and evaluating the effectiveness of cancer therapies.
- Serum TP decrease is a consistent finding in cancer patients, potentially indicating disease severity.