Significance of Serum p53 Antibody as a Tumor Marker in Colorectal Cancer

Abstract EN

Objective.

We examined serum anti-p53 antibodies (S-p53Ab) in colorectal cancer.

Specifically, we retrospectively investigated the use of S-p53Ab as a prognostic marker after surgery for colorectal cancer.

Materials and Methods.

The levels of S-p53Ab, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) were measured in 160 colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment.

The rate of postoperative change (RPC) in the S-p53Ab titer was calculated as [subsequent antibody titer-lowest titer]/lowest titer.

Results.

A relationship between recurrence and RPC in the S-p53Ab titer was not observed in patients who tested negative for S-p53Ab preoperatively.

In addition, no patients, who tested negative for S-p53Ab preoperatively, tested positive for S-p53Ab at the follow-up after surgery.

Of the patients who tested positive for S-p53Ab preoperatively, those recurrences had a significantly higher RPC compared with those who did not (p<0.001).

Conclusions.

Although S-p53Ab is not a significant tumor marker in patients who test negative preoperatively, increases in the S-p53Ab titer should be continuously monitored and measured in patients who are positive for this antibody preoperatively, regardless of whether they later test negative.