Background
The MUC1 gene encodes a glycoprotein known as cancer antigen 15-3, or CA 15-3, which is present on the surface of many different types of epithelial cells. Overexpression of this glycoprotein occurs in 90% of breast cancer cases. Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in women globally, and it is also the leading cause of cancer-related death among women. Every year, more than 2 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer, which causes approximately 400,000 deaths. Breast cancer is most prevalent in North America, Australia, New Zealand, Western Europe, and Northern Europe, whereas Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the lowest rates. These discrepancies are directly related to cultural and environmental changes brought about by industrialization, such as greater fat consumption, weight gain, earlier menarche, shorter breastfeeding durations, and changes in reproductive patterns, such as fewer pregnancies and a later age at first childbirth. For breast cancer patients, precisely describing and monitoring the disease status is crucial, as diagnostic test results influence treatment methods and prognosis. Breast cancer death rates have been significantly reduced thanks to improved diagnostic tests and biomarker-based therapeutic techniques.
Figure 1. Diagram of Breast Cancer Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies. (Source: Sun YS, et al. ,2017)
CA 15-3 is an essential tumor marker used to diagnose and monitor breast cancer. First, the expression of CA 15-3 in breast cancer patients causes the production of antibodies (anti-CA 15-3), which is important for cancer prediction and prognosis. Elevated CA 15-3 levels can be used to predict recurrence in breast cancer patients and monitor response to advanced treatment. According to research, the typical range of CA 15-3 levels in healthy people is less than 30 U/mL, however, 30-50% of breast cancer patients had significantly higher levels. If the CA 15-3 concentration exceeds 100 U/mL, it is typically considered a sign of sickness. Serum tumor markers (CA 15-3 and CEA) can detect metastases in up to 60-80% of breast cancer patients early on, and combining the two markers can detect 40-60% of recurrences 2-18 months before clinical or radiological evidence shows. Regular monitoring of serum CEA and CA 15-3 levels is critical for predicting prognosis and designing effective treatment options. CA 15-3 levels are typically higher in advanced breast cancer patients than in early-stage patients, and CA 15-3 sensitivity exceeds that of CEA. According to studies, 20-30% of early breast cancer patients will have distant metastatic disease recurrence, with the probability of recurrence being closely tied to the tumor's original presentation stage and underlying biological features.
Current CA 15-3 research and application trends are mostly focused on detection methods and other applications. Traditional methods of detecting CA 15-3 include mass spectrometry, surface-enhanced Raman scattering, high-performance liquid chromatography, and high-performance thin-layer chromatography. However, these solutions are sometimes expensive, time-consuming, and complex. Biosensors have recently been recognized as an excellent alternative to traditional clinical and near-patient testing detection techniques. Biosensors offer advantages such as specificity, selectivity, sensitivity, and high mobility while needing low sample preprocessing thresholds. Multiple biomolecules can be detected at once using electrochemical biosensors, which are also very responsive and selective, robust, measured in real-time, cost-effective, and require minimum setup time, making them ideal for tracking biomarkers. Furthermore, CA 15-3 is relevant not just in breast cancer but also in ovarian, non-small cell lung, and colorectal cancers. For example, in ovarian cancer patients, particularly those with advanced disease, CA 15-3 levels are significantly elevated, which can improve the value of CA125 (the primary serum marker for ovarian cancer). As a result of its use as a biomarker, the detection procedures and application fields of CA 15-3 are constantly evolving and improving.
Alternative Names
Anti-CA15-3 antibody, clone Y20
Monoclonal anti-CA15-3 antibody
CA15-3 antibody clone Y20
References
- 1. Sun YS, et al. Risk Factors and Preventions of Breast Cancer. Int J Biol Sci. 2017;13(11):1387-1397.
References
Sensing CA 15-3 in point-of-care by electropolymerizing O-phenylenediamine (oPDA) on Au-screen printed electrodes
PLOS ONE
Authors: Gomes, Rui S.; Moreira, Felismina T. C.; Fernandes, Ruben; Sales, M. Goreti F.
Abstract
This work presents an alternative device for cancer screening in liquid biopsies. It combines a biomimetic film (i) with electrochemical detection (ii). The biomimetic film (i) was obtained by electro-polymerizing amine-substituted benzene rings around a CA 15-3 target. This protein target was previously adsorbed on a gold (Au) support and incubated in charged monomers (4-Styrenesulfonate sodium and 3-Hydroxytyraminium chloride). The protein was further eliminated by enzymatic activity, leaving behind vacant sites for subsequent rebinding. Electrochemical detection (ii) was achieved on an Au working electrode, designed on commercial screen-printed electrodes. Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and ellipsometric readings were used to follow the chemical modification of the Au surface. The ability of the material to rebind CA15-3 was monitored by electrochemical techniques. The device displayed linear responses to CA15-3 ranging from 0.25 to 10.00 U/mL, with detection limits of 0.05 U/mL. Accurate results were obtained by applying the sensor to the analysis of CA15-3 in PBS buffer and in serum samples. This biosensing device displayed successful features for the detection of CA 15-3 and constitutes a promising tool for breast cancer screening procedures in point-of-care applications. Moreover, its scale-up seems feasible as it contains a plastic antibody assembled in situ, in less than 1 minute, and the analysis of serum takes less than 30 minutes.
Plasma Free Serotonin as a Marker for Early Detection of Breast Cancer Recurrence
ANTICANCER RESEARCH
Authors: Froebe, Ana; Cicin-Sain, Lipa; Jones, Glenn; Soldic, Zeljko; Lukac, Josip; Bolanca, Ante; Kusic, Zvonko
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the significance of plasma free serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) and Ca15.3 for the early detection of breast cancer recurrence. Materials and Methods: Free serotonin and Ca15.3 levels were measured by I-125-Serotonin RIA (DDV Diagnostica, Marburg, Germany) in plasma and an ELISA kit (Roche Diagnostic GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) in serum, respectively in women (N=29) who responded to primary treatment for breast cancer and who were followed-up for recurrence. For analysis, patients were sub-divided according to TNM staging into groups with localized (T1-2N0-M0) and advanced (T1-2N1-2M0-1) disease. The control group were healthy blood donors. Results: Patients with advanced disease had a significantly higher plasma serotonin level than those with localized disease or controls, whereas Ca15.3 levels remained in normal range in all groups. At the time of serotonin measurement, radiological findings were negative for all patients in the localized-disease group, but positive in nine patients in the advanced-disease group. Conclusion: Plasma free serotonin may be used for the early detection of recurrent/metastatic breast cancer disease, but validation on a larger number of patients is needed.
COA
Publication 
Loading ......
