Purpose: In pancreatic cancer (PC), CA 19– 9, CEA and CA 125 are the most widely used tumor markers. The aim of this study was to explore the prognostic significance of baseline levels of serum CA 19– 9, CEA, and CA 125, and to evaluate the clinical significance of these markers in PC patients.
Patients and Methods: A total of 278 patients with advanced PC that had received first-line chemotherapy treatments were examined. Correlation analysis between the tumor markers and clinical characteristics was performed using a Pearson’s Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test. A Pearson’s correlation test was utilized to investigate the relationship between tumor markers and peripheral blood parameters. Univariate analysis was estimated using a Kaplan–Meier analysis and compared using a Log rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model.
Results: Both individually and collectively, the baseline CA 19– 9, CEA and CA 125 levels were positively associated with the primary tumor site (p < 0.01), liver metastasis (p < 0.05), and number of organ metastases (p < 0.05). Furthermore, CA 19– 9, CEA and CA 125 were correlated to baseline WBC (p < 0.001) and LDH (p < 0.01) levels. Additionally, CA 19– 9 was correlated with years of smoking (p = 0.024); diabetes and years of diabetes (p = 0.012); baseline glycemic levels (p = 0.004); and neutrophil counts (p < 0.001). Moreover, CA 125 levels were associated with the baseline neutrophil counts (p < 0.001) and peritoneal metastasis (p = 0.008). When examining neutrophil, LDH, CA 19– 9 and CA 125 levels were found to be associated with overall survival (OS) and shown to be independent prognostic factors.
Conclusion: CA 19– 9, CEA and CA 125 are correlated with multiple clinical factors. Baseline neutrophil, LDH, CA 19– 9 and CA 125 levels are associated with OS and may potentially serve as prognostic factors.
Keywords: pancreatic cancer, CA 19-9, CEA, CA 125, correlation analysis, prognosis