Prognostic significance of circulating antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA) in patients with colon cancer

Abstract

In this study, a high number of colon cancer patients have circulating anti-CEA antibodies in their sera. These may be used as diagnostic markers and as independent prognostic factors. In addition, the presence of these antibodies in the patients studied is associated with better prognosis and significantly increased 2-yr survival. It was also found that the anti-CEA antibodies (IgG and IgM) are more sensitive markers than CEA. These findings underline the biological importance of the anti-CEA antibodies and provide additional information on their potential use as markers of the immune status in patients with colon cancer.