Elevated CA72-4 tumor marker

Popkin

About a month ago, my wife had a panel of serum tumor markers tested in Europe. The reason why she did it is to serve as a "negative" control for her mother (who is currently a 3-year cancer survivor). However, we unexpectedly found that my wife's CA72-4 level was elevated to 24 and to 16U/ml (analysis done in different labs on consecutive days). The normal upper limit is 6.9U/ml. Her other markers (CEA, CA19-9, CA125, CA15-3, HE4 and AFP) were normal. Upon our return home to the USA, she had several tests (including abdominal/pelvic CT), which so far did not reveal the specific reason for this elevation. As with all tumor markers, the most important thing is to follow the dynamics of CA72-4.  And here we have a big problem: although CA72-4 is a commonly tested marker in Europe and many other countries, it is not FDA-approved in the USA. Therefore, we would be enormously grateful if someone would let us know whether it is possible to measure it here. We would also appreciate hearing from anyone who had an elevated CA72-4 level and how everything developed.

NoTimeForCancer

Popkin, a quick google search

Popkin, a quick google search showed a lot of old info, but this, from 2017 was interesting:
http://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.4_suppl.263

And which I find interesting in the attached PDF where is says at the bottom "Not for distribution in the USA"? : http://www.roche-diagnostics.ch/content/dam/corporate/roche-dia_ch/documents/broschueren/professional_diagnostics/serumarbeitsplatz/immunologie/tumor-marker/EN_CA72-4_FactSheet.pdf

I am sure someone will come along to tell me I'm crazy, but I hope your info can help someone else.

Tethys41

CA72-4

Hi Popkin,

I would suggest you give this company a call.  It looks as if you can purchase the test yourself.  You should be able to have the blood drawn at a local lab, like Quest.  The lab can prepare the sample and either you or the lab can ship it.  I have shipped blood samples before.  It's not hard.  You just have to follow the instructions. 

https://www.leebio.com/product/247/cancer-antigen-72-4-ca-72-4-human-151-24

Good luck

 

Popkin

NoTimeForCancer said:

Popkin, a quick google search

Popkin, a quick google search showed a lot of old info, but this, from 2017 was interesting:
http://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2017.35.4_suppl.263

And which I find interesting in the attached PDF where is says at the bottom "Not for distribution in the USA"? : http://www.roche-diagnostics.ch/content/dam/corporate/roche-dia_ch/documents/broschueren/professional_diagnostics/serumarbeitsplatz/immunologie/tumor-marker/EN_CA72-4_FactSheet.pdf

I am sure someone will come along to tell me I'm crazy, but I hope your info can help someone else.

Many thanks for your

Many thanks for your suggestions (the Roche test is actually the one that we used in Europe). We did contact Dr. Hindenburg (senior author of the paper that you mentioned), but he is no longer testing for CA72-4.  We have now written to the company that supplied the reagents that he used to see if they are working with any other clinicians.

Thank you again for your concern - it really is appreciated. If you or anyone else has other ideas, we'd be grateful for them.

Popkin

Tethys41 said:

CA72-4

Hi Popkin,

I would suggest you give this company a call.  It looks as if you can purchase the test yourself.  You should be able to have the blood drawn at a local lab, like Quest.  The lab can prepare the sample and either you or the lab can ship it.  I have shipped blood samples before.  It's not hard.  You just have to follow the instructions. 

https://www.leebio.com/product/247/cancer-antigen-72-4-ca-72-4-human-151-24

Good luck

 

CA72-4

Hi Tethys41,

thank you for your concern - and for your suggestions. My understanding is that the product that you mentioned is a semi-purified form of CA72-4 to be used as a standard/control for assays. However, I will contact the company to see if they know of diagnostic labs that can test for CA72-4. I'll also contact Quest directly.

Thanks again for your concern and advice. I really am grateful to you.