Cancer associated serum antigen (CASA) levels in patients with breast carcinoma and in 3 control groups without breast cancer

MUC1 (CD227): a multi-tasked molecule

Mucin 1 (MUC1 [CD227]) is a high-molecular weight (>400 kDa), type I membrane-tethered glycoprotein that is expressed on epithelial cells and extends far above the glycocalyx. MUC1 is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated in adenocarcinomas and in hematological malignancies. As a result, MUC1 has been a target for tumor immunotherapeutic studies in mice and in humans. MUC1 has been shown to have anti-adhesive and immunosuppressive properties, protects against infections, and is involved in the oncogenic process as well as in cell signaling. In addition, MUC1 plays a key role in the reproductive tract, in the immune system (affecting dendritic cells, monocytes, T cells, and B cells), and in chronic inflammatory diseases. Evidence for all of these roles for MUC1 is discussed herein and demonstrates that MUC1 is truly a multitasked molecule.

Serum tumor markers in patients with breast cancer

Several serum tumor markers have been investigated in patients with breast cancer for assessing outcome, predicting recurrence and monitoring the therapeutic response. There is a general consensus concerning their limited application in diagnosing malignancy; however, serum tumor markers can be considered for the early detection of recurrence. The most effective markers for this indication are cancer antigens (CA)15-3 and 27.29, and c-erbB-2, although their efficacy in establishing disease progression has not been determined to date. In terms of evaluating prognosis and predicting response to therapy, only the expression of c-erbB-2 has clinical evidence. To conclude, at present, no serum tumor marker is cost effective, and none can be used with confidence in the decision making regarding breast cancer patients.

Potential utility of antineoplaston A-10 levels in breast cancer

Antineoplastons, first described by Burzynski, are naturally occurring peptides and amino acid derivatives, which control neoplastic growth. Antineoplaston A-10 (3-phenylacetyl amino-2, 6-pepridinedione) is the first chemically identified antineoplaston. Here we describe the potential utility of antineoplaston A-10 as a predictive test for breast cancer. Antineoplaston A-10 level was measured in the urine of 31 breast cancer patients and 17 normal women using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Significantly lower antineoplaston A-10 levels were detected among patients with breast cancer with a P value <0.001. These data suggest a strong inverse association of urinary antineoplaston A-10 level with breast cancer. Such finding was the stimulus for further investigations of antineoplaston A-10 levels in some benign as well as other malignant diseases to determine the utility of this approach as a predictive test for women who are at risk of developing breast cancer.