A preliminary study of retinoblastoma-related serum tumor markers

Abstract:

Objective To screen out retinoblastoma (RB)-related serum tumor markers by measuring the levels of serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP), carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) in children with RB. Methods The levels of seven serum tumor markers (AFP, CEA, NSE, CA125, CA153, CA199, and CA724) were determined in 20 children with RB and 20 healthy children (control) using a chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results The serum levels and positive rates of NSE, CA153, and CA199 in the RB group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the levels of AFP, CEA, CA125, and CA724 between the two groups (P > 0.05). NSE had the highest sensitivity, but a relatively low specificity for the diagnosis of RB. CA153 and CA199 had a relatively high specificity, but a relatively low sensitivity for the diagnosis of RB. Conclusions The serum levels and positive rates of NSE, CA153, and CA199 are high in children with RB. Combined measurement of these three serum tumor markers may have an important diagnostic value for RB.