Cancer Antigens and Immunological Factors in Breast Cancer Patients

Incidence of breast cancer is increasing worldwide and tumour markers are widely recognized as important tools in the evaluation and management of patients with cancer but additional biomarkers relevant to developing countries will provide additional support. This study evaluated the detection, diagnosis and prognostic potentials of biomarkers such as circulating immune complexes (CIC), cancer antigens (CA15-3 and CA 27.29), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM and IgA) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF- and IL-1) in patients with malignant and benign breast tumours. A total of 42 treatment-nave female patients that presented with breast tumour were prospectively studied (pre and post-treatment).Overall, tumour of all forms recorded significantly higher pre-treatment mean values for CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 which decreased after treatment. On the contrary, therapeutic interventions did not significantly affect the mean values for CIC, IgM, IgG, IgA and pro-inflammatory cytokines. CA 15-3 and CA 27.29 presented promising diagnostic and prognostic potentials in breast cancers. Immunoglobulins, CIC and pro-inflammatory cytokines appeared to be of limited diagnostic value in our environment.