A Study of Tumor Markers Cytokeratin 19 Fragment and Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Related Antigen in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck

Akihito Michida and Kazuo Ryoke

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683, Japan

Serum CYFRA 21-1 level to detect cytokeratin 19 fragment and serum squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen (SCC) level were studied with their immunohistochemical distribution in tissues in 35 patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, and their usefulness as tumor markers was assessed. Immunohistochemically, the number of cancer cells with SCC was apparently greater than those with CYFRA 21-1. Distribution of the immunoreactive cancer cells with these antigens was obviously different and no cancer cells showed for the 2 antigens simultaneously. Serum CYFRA 21-1 levels were measured by immunoradiometric assay, and serum SCC levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. The serum CYFRA 21-1 positive rate was higher than the serum SCC positive rate before the first course of treatment. In the early stage of tumor, the serum CYFRA 21-1 positive rate was also higher than the serum SCC positive rate. In pN(+) patients, the serum CYFRA 21-1 positive rate was 100% and the serum SCC positive rate was 40%. The serum CYFRA 21-1 positive rate increased as mode of tumor invasion progressed. The serum levels of these 2 antigens were markedly lower in patients showing complete response to the treatment and in patients with lower histological malignancy levels after treatment. This indicates the possibility that secretion might occur more quickly in CYFRA 21-1 than in SCC, showing higher sensibility of CYFRA 21-1 as a tumor marker. These results suggest that CYFRA 21-1 is more useful than SCC as a marker for the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and for assessment of anti-tumor therapy efficacy.

Key words: CYFRA 21-1; cytokeratin 19 fragment; head and neck; squamous cell carcinoma; squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen

RETURN