Pulmonary Carcinoembryonic Antigen (Cea) Production in Patients with End-Stage Lung Diseases Submitted to Lung Transplantation;

Time to lowest postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level is predictive on survival outcome in rectal cancer

This study was to investigate whether the time to the lowest postoperative CEA can predict cancer survival. We enrolled 155 rectal cancer patients in this retrospective and longitudinal cohort study. Deepness of response (DpR) of CEA refers to the relative change of the lowest postoperative CEA level from baseline, and time to DpR (TTDpR) refers to the time from surgery to the lowest postoperative CEA level. The median of TTDpR and DpR was 4.5 (range, 3.0-18.0) weeks and -67% (range, -99% to 114%) respectively. Patients with TTDpR </ = 4.5 weeks had better 3-year DFS (81.4% vs. 76.2%; P = 0.059) and OS (95.8% vs. 87.9%; P = 0.047) rate than patients with TTDpR >4.5 weeks. Using TTDpR as a continuous variable, the HR of DFS and OS was 1.13 (95% CI 1.06-1.22, P = 0.001) and 1.17 (95% CI 1.07-1.29, P = 0.001) respectively. On multivariate analysis, the predictive value of prolonged TTDpR remained [adjusted HRs: 1.12 (95% CI 1.03-1.21, P = 0.006) and 1.17 (95% CI 1.06-1.28, P = 0.001)]. These findings remained significant in patients with normal preoperative CEA. Our results showed prolonged TTDpR of CEA independently predicted unfavorable survival outcomes, regardless of whether preoperative CEA was elevated or not.

Prognostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels in patients who undergo lung transplantation

BACKGROUND

Potential candidates for lung transplantation undergo a rigorous evaluation before transplant. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels are used as a screening tool for occult malignancy in many lung transplant centers. We reviewed the pre-transplant CEA levels in lung transplant recipients in our institution to determine their prognostic significance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective database review of the first 200 patients that had undergone lung or heart-lung transplant at our institution (dates were 1/20/92-7/25/98). Data extracted included CEA levels (in ng/ml) at the time of lung transplant evaluation, demographic data, and survival. Patients had one of the following diagnoses: alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Eisenmenger's syndrome, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, primary pulmonary hypertension, sarcoidosis, or other.

RESULTS

After excluding re-transplants, CEA results were available for 174 of 193 (90.2%) patients. CEA levels were elevated in 85 patients (48.9%) with a mean value of 3.15 +/- 2.55 (normal < 2.5). Solid organ cancers developed in 6 patients, at a median follow-up of 27.5 months after transplant. Their mean pre-transplant CEA level was similar to the rest of the group (3.52 +/- 2.05). Pre-transplant CEA levels did not predict post-transplant survival. Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis had the highest pre-transplant CEA levels, whereas patients with primary pulmonary hypertension and Eisenmenger's syndrome had the lowest (5.36 +/- 4.59, 0.83 +/- 0.56, and 1.43 +/- 0.81, respectively; p = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

CEA levels are high in patients with end-stage lung disease, especially IPF. Their levels appear to be a marker of the underlying disease and do not predict the post-transplant survival or development of malignancy.