Diagnostic significance of serum HMGB1 in colorectal carcinomas

High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1), a nuclear protein, can be translocated to the cytoplasm and secreted in colon cancer cells. However, the diagnostic significance of HMGB1 has not been evaluated in colorectal carcinomas. For this purpose, we have screened the expression and secretion of HMGB1 in 10 colon cancer cell lines and 1 control cell line and found that HMGB1 was detected in the culture medium. To evaluate the diagnostic value of HMGB1, we performed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure HMGB1 levels and compared them to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in the serum samples of 219 colorectal carcinoma patients and 75 healthy control subjects. We found that the serum HMGB1 level was increased by 1.5-fold in patients with colorectal carcinoma compared to those in healthy controls. When HMGB1 and CEA levels were compared, HMGB1 had similar efficacy as CEA regarding cancer detection (the sensitivity was 20.1% for HMGB1 vs. 25.6% for CEA, and the specificity was 96% for HMGB1 vs. 90.7% for CEA). Moreover, the diagnostic accuracy of HMGB1 for stage I cancer was significantly higher than that of CEA (sensitivity: 41.2% vs. 5.9%; specificity: 96% vs. 90.7). When we combined HMGB1 and CEA, the overall diagnostic sensitivity was higher than that of CEA alone (42% vs. 25.6%), and the diagnostic sensitivity for stage I was also elevated (47% vs. 5.9%). However, the prognosis of patients was not related with serum HMGB1 concentrations. Our findings indicate that serum HMGB1 levels are increased in a subset of colorectal carcinomas, suggesting their potential utility as a supportive diagnostic marker for colorectal carcinomas.     

Detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in diagnostic histopathology.

We describe the effects of tissue preservation, fixation time, and hydrolytic treatment on the detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) by immunoperoxidase staining with three commercial anti-PCNA antibodies (19A2, 19F4, PC10). Our goal was to provide guidelines for PCNA immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens. In proliferative cell compartments, nuclear staining was achieved with all three antibodies. In some cases PCNA was also expressed in non-proliferative, histologically normal tissues associated with tumors or other lesions elsewhere. In most autopsy specimens PNCA immunoreactivity was markedly diminished as compared with similar surgical specimens. Incubation overnight with primary antibody at 4 degrees C enhanced PCNA immunoreactivity over incubation at 42 degrees C for 45 min. Pre-treatment with 2 N HCl did not increase staining. Staining with the PC10 antibody was much better preserved than staining with the antibodies 19A2 and 19F4 after prolonged formalin fixation of surgical specimens and in tissues obtained at autopsy. With all three antibodies, however, PCNA immunoreactivity was well preserved during formalin fixation for 8-24 hr and during fixation delays for 8 hr at room temperature. This indicates that PCNA is stable under conditions routinely encountered in diagnostic surgical pathology and facilitates its potential use as a diagnostic proliferation marker.     

Improved immunohistochemical localization of tissue antigens using modified methacarn fixation

Detailed comparative studies have been carried out using a wide range of aqueous and nonaqueous based fixatives in order to select the optimal fixation schedule for the immunohistochemical localization of four antigens: type IV collagen, actin, Factor VIII, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). Modified methacarn fixation provides an ideal combination of maximum staining and morphological preservation for these antigens. Enhanced immunoreactivity with this fixative was also noted for a broad spectrum of antigens, including myoglobin, glial fiber acidic protein, keratin, myosin, laminin, prostatic acid phosphatase, alpha-fetoprotein, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Although it is not recommended for most cell surface antigens, this fixative may have a definite place in diagnostic surgical pathology.     

血清CEA、CA19-9、CYFRA21-1与结直肠腺癌的相关性分析

目的:探究血清癌胚抗原(carcinoembryonic antigen,CEA)、糖类抗原19-9、细胞角蛋白19片段(cytokeratin19 fragements,CYFRA21-1)与结直肠腺癌的病理相关性。方法:选择于我院接受治疗的80例结直肠腺癌患者为病例组,选择同期于我院接受治疗的50例良性结直肠病变患者为良性对照组,选择我院体格检查的50例健康个体为对照组,分别采集三组个体的血样并进行CEA、CA19-9以及CYFRA21-1水平的检测,并比对三组个体上述因子阳性表达率、因子水平,同时分析三种因子同结直肠腺癌患者TNM分期相关性,最后探究三种因子对结直肠腺癌的诊断价值。结果:(1)以CEA≥2.805μg/L、CA19-9≥39 U/m L、CYFR21-1≥3.3 ng/mL为临界值,结果显示病例组CEA阳性率51.25%,CA19-9阳性率31.25%,CYFR21-1阳性率40.00%,明显高于良性组的10.00%、20.00%和10.00%,高于对照组的8.00%、12.00%和2.00%(P<0.05);(2)比较显示病例组患者的CEA、CA19-9以及CYFR21-1水平明显高于良性对照组以及对照组(P<0.05),良性对照组CEA、CA19-9以及CYFR21-1水平明显高于对照组(P<0.05);(3)比较显示IV期结直肠腺癌患者CEA、CA19-9以及CYFRA21-1水平明显高于III期以及I+II期(P<0.05),III期三种因子水平明显高于I+II期(P<0.05);(4)CEA对结直肠腺癌诊断一致性71.25%,灵敏度65.00%,特异度90.00%;CA19-9诊断一致性46.25%,灵敏度35.00%,特异度80.00%;CYFRA21-1诊断一致性55.00%,灵敏度46.67%,特异度80.00%;联合诊断一致性95.00%,灵敏度95.00%,特异度95.00%。结论:血清CEA、CA19-9以及CYFRA21-1对结直肠腺癌具有较明确的诊断价值,不同病理分期患者中表达差异明显,可以考虑将联合诊断作为结直肠腺癌鉴别方式之一,推广于临床中。     

Diagnostic value of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor as a tumor marker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

We assessed the diagnostic value of circulating VEGF as a tumor marker in patients with lung cancer and compared its clinical utility with that of other markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 19 (CYFRA). One hundred and sixty non-small cell lung cancer patients and 70 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Circulating VEGF was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum concentrations of both CEA and CYFRA were measured by means of immunoradiometric assays. The diagnostic value of plasma VEGF (VEGFp) was better than that of CYFRA and similar to that of CEA. When the diagnostic value of VEGFp and CEA for the diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was compared, the two markers proved to have nearly equal discriminatory power. In diagnosing squamous cell carcinoma, VEGFp showed less discrimination than CYFRA. When the diagnostic value of VEGFp was analyzed for stage I adenocarcinoma patients, VEGFp was slightly more discriminatory than CEA. The combination assay of VEGFp and CEA had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 60% at a cutoff of 104.4 pg/mL for VEGFp and 5.2 ng/mL for CEA. The combination of VEGF and CEA was superior to CEA alone in the early diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the lung.     

胰腺癌患者血清CEA、CA242、CA199水平变化及联合诊断的ROC曲线分析

目的:探讨胰腺癌患者血清癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖类抗原242(CA242)、糖类抗原199(CA199)水平变化,并分析上述指标对胰腺癌的联合诊断价值,为胰腺癌的临床诊断提供参考。方法:选择2014年2月至2018年2月我院收治的186例胰腺癌患者(胰腺癌组)、89例胰腺炎患者(胰腺炎组)作为研究对象,并取同期来我院检查的268例健康人作为对照组。比较三组受试者的血清CEA、CA242、CA199水平变化,对比分析血清CEA、CA242、CA199的单一以及联合诊断的准确度、特异度以及灵敏度,并绘制ROC曲线以分析上述指标的诊断价值。结果:三组受试者血清CEA、CA242、CA199水平差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。且胰腺炎组和胰腺癌组的血清CEA、CA242、CA199水平明显高于对照组,胰腺癌组患者的血清CEA、CA242、CA199水平明显高于胰腺炎组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。ROC曲线结果显示,CEA诊断价值最大,CA199诊断价值最小。CEA是胰腺癌单项肿瘤标志物中敏感度最高的,为85.48%;特异度最高的为CA242(96.72%);三项肿瘤标志物联合诊断的准确度增加至92.27%,敏感度增加至95.16%,特异度相比略有下降。结论:与单一肿瘤标记物诊断胰腺癌相比,CEA、CA242、CA199联合诊断的敏感度和准确度均明显升高,可以明显改善胰腺癌的漏诊率,提高患者的生存率,具有较好的临床应用价值。     

血清CEA、CA125、TSGF联合检测对乳腺癌的诊断价值

目的 探讨血清癌胚抗原(CEA)、糖类抗原-125(CA125)以及恶性肿瘤特异生长因子(TSGF)联合检测对乳腺癌临床诊断的价值.方法 选取2017年5月至2019年5月我院收治的70例乳腺疾病患者为研究对象,其中包含乳腺癌患者35例(乳腺癌组),良性乳腺增生患者35例(良性乳腺结节组).选取同期于我院进行健康体检的...     

肿瘤标志物在卵巢恶性肿瘤早期误诊预防中的价值

目的:探讨糖类抗原CA125、CEA与CA199联合检测对卵巢癌有一定的鉴别诊断价值。方法:应用化学发光免疫法对126例经病理查证实的卵巢癌患者(试验组)、104例良性肿瘤患者(对照组)进行血清CA125、CEA与CA199检测。结果:试验组血清检测结果和阳性率均明显高于对照组(P<0.01),联合检测阳性率高于单项检测(P<0.01)。结论:应用检验医学进行CA125、CEA与CA199联合检测对卵巢癌有一定的鉴别诊断价值。可降低误诊率。     

Theory and practice of combining coagulant fixation and microwave histoprocessing

The German, F. Blum, introduced formalin as a fixative in 1893. Formalin rapidly became popular for hardening and preserving gross human and animal specimens. As a result, microscopy for diagnostic pathology by combining paraffin embedding and formalin fixation was developed. Alcohol-based fixatives have coagulation of proteins as their main preservative effect. Because there is no cross-linking, immunostaining is not compromised, and DNA and RNA is not damaged. Ethyl alcohol was used by Dutch scientists of the 18th century, but was replaced by the cheaper formalin. Addition of low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) optimized the coagulant fixative, Kryofix. The polyethylene glycol prevents excessive hardening and enhances the speed of coagulation of proteins. Kryofix was used on a large scale for skin biopsies in Leiden between 1987 and 2001. DNA preservation by the formulated coagulant fixative, BoonFix, is related to the concentration of ethyl alcohol, PEG and acetic acid. BoonFix has been used since 2004 in Leiden for over 40,000 diagnostic skin biopsies and more than 100,000 cervical samples. A literature review and three decades of experience with coagulant, formalin-free fixatives in pathology suggest that when health authorities realize that formalin invalidates expensive tests, it might eventually be eliminated legislatively from diagnostic pathology. Finally, coagulant fixation is optimal for microwave histoprocessing where ethyl alcohol is followed by isopropanol.     

Irisin and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers in Gastric and Colorectal Cancers

Background:Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a common gastrointestinal tumor biomarker. Irisin is adipo-myokines that has been suggested to have a potential role in cancer development. However, limited studies test irisin as biomarker in gastric and colorectal cancers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether CEA and irisin could be a potential diagnostic biomarker in gastric and colorectal cancer.Methods:A case-control study consists of 90 subjects, 21 gastric cancer patients, 49 colorectal cancer patients and 20 control. Serum CEA was detected by fluorescence immunoassay (FIA) kit. Serum irisin was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.Results:Serum CEA increases significantly and serum irisin decreases significantly in gastric and colorectal cancer patients. According to Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, in gastric cancer, the area under curve of CEA is 1.00 (95% CI, 1.000-1.000, p< 0.0001). The diagnostic cut-off of CEA is< 3.08 ng/ml with %100 sensitivity and 100% specificity. The area under curve of irisin is 0.94 (95% CI, 0.8177-1.000, p< 0.0001). The cut-off of irisin is> 30.2 ng/ml with %90 sensitivity and 100%, specificity. In colorectal cancer, the area under curve of CEA is 0.99 (95% CI, 0.9866-1.000, p< 0.0001) and the diagnostic value< 2.6 ng/ml with %98 sensitivity and %100 specificity. The area under curve of irisin is 0.96 (95% CI, 0.9155-1.000, p< 0.0001). The diagnostic cut-off of irisin is> 41.9 ng/ml with 88.1sensitivity and 90.5 specificity.Conclusion:CEA and irisin could be powerful potential diagnostic biomarkers which would be use for early detection of gastric and colorectal cancers.Key Words: Biomarker, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), Colorectal cancer, Gastric cancer, Irisin     

彩色多普勒超声联合血清CEA、CA125、TK1、TFF1对乳腺癌的诊断价值研究

摘要 目的：探究彩色多普勒超声联合血清癌胚抗原（CEA）、糖类抗原125（CA125）、胸苷激酶1（TK1）、三叶因子1（TFF1）对乳腺癌的诊断价值。方法：回顾性选取2019年1月到2022年1月间我院收治的97例乳腺癌患者为观察组,同期收治的97例乳腺良性病变患者为对照组,均行彩色多普勒超声检查及血清CEA、CA125、TK1、TFF1检测,比较两组超声特征、超声参数[搏动指数（PI）、收缩期峰值流速（PSV）、阻力指数（RI）],比较两组血清CEA、CA125、TK1、TFF1水平,通过受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析彩色多普勒超声联合血清CEA、CA125、TK1、TFF1诊断价值及单独诊断价值。结果：与对照组比较,观察组肿块边界不清晰、内部回声不均匀、形态不规则和钙化比例明显升高（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较,观察组患者RI、PSV、PI明显升高（P＜0.05）;其中观察组血流信号分级Ⅲ级比例明显高于对照组（P＜0.05）,观察组血流信号分级0级比例明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较,观察组患者血清CEA、CA125、TK1、TFF1水平明显升高（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线发现,超声诊断乳腺癌的曲线下面积（AUC）值、灵敏度、特异度依次为0.773、76.30%、78.40%。CEA诊断乳腺癌的AUC值、灵敏度、特异度依次为0.774、78.40%、74.23%。CA125诊断乳腺癌的AUC值、灵敏度、特异度依次为0.824、77.31%、80.41%。TK1诊断乳腺癌的AUC值、灵敏度、特异度依次为0.818、78.43%、81.42%。TFF1诊断乳腺癌的AUC值、灵敏度、特异度依次为0.806、78.42%、77.31%。彩色多普勒超声联合血清CEA、CA125、TK1、TFF1诊断乳腺癌的AUC值0.929,显著优于各项指标单独使用（P＜0.05）。结论：与各项指标单一应用相比,彩色多普勒超声联合血清CEA、CA125、TK1、TFF1诊断乳腺癌的价值较高,有助于乳腺癌的早期筛查。     

钼靶X线摄片联合肿瘤相关标志物检测对乳腺癌的诊断价值

目的:探讨乳腺钼靶X射线摄片与血清糖类抗原15-3(CA15-3)、癌胚抗原(CEA)和骨桥蛋白(OPN)联合检测对乳腺癌的临床诊断价值。方法:选择在我院经手术和病理证实为乳腺癌的患者60例作为研究组,另选取60例健康体检者作为对照组。分别检测两组的血清CA15-3、CEA和OPN水平,并采用乳腺钼靶X射线检查。比较X射与血清学检测单独检测及联合检测的阳性率。结果:研究组患者血清CA15-3、CEA及OPN水平均显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);血清CA15-3、CEA、OPN和钼靶X射线摄片联合检测的敏感性显著高于单独检测,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:对乳腺癌患者进行钼靶X射线摄片及肿瘤相关标志物检测可提高阳性检出率,有利于乳腺癌的早期诊断及治疗。     

Diagnostic utility of GLUT-1 expression in the cytologic evaluation of serous fluids

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extent to which adenocarcinomas in body cavity fluids express GLUT-1 in comparison to currently available markers for adenocarcinomas. STUDY DESIGN: Archival paraffin-embedded cell blocks of serous fluids from 25 cases of benign effusions containing reactive mesothelial cells and 39 cases of malignant effusions with metastatic adenocarcinoma (11 ovarian, 11 pulmonary, 9 gastrointestinal and 8 breast) were retrieved from the surgical pathology files. All cases were stained with antibodies for GLUT-1, Ber-Ep4, B72.3 and CEA. Positive staining was defined as distinct linear membrane staining for GLUT-1 and Ber-EP4, cytoplasmic staining for CEA, and cytoplasmic or membrane staining for B72.3. Strong staining in at least 10% of the tumor cells was required in order to consider the case positive for the particular marker. RESULTS: GLUT-1 was expressed in 72% (28 of 39) of cases of malignant effusions: 100% (11 of 11) from the ovary, 91% (10 of 11) from the lung, 67% (6 of 9) from the gastrointestinal tract and 12% (1 of 8) from the breast. None (0 of 25) of the benign effusions expressed GLUT-1. Malignant effusions expressed CEA in 74% (29 of 39), Ber-Ep4 in 85% (33 of 39), and B72.3 in 62% (24 of 39). Benign effusions expressed CEA in 3 cases and B72.3 in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: GLUT-1 is a useful marker that can be applied to cytologic specimens. It can be used as a reliable component of an antibody panel to distinguish reactive mesothelial cells from metastatic adenocarcinoma in particular adenocarcinomas of body cavity effusions, in particular adenocarcinomas of ovarian and pulmonary origin.     

NSE、CEA 和CYFRA21-1 测定对胸腔积液的诊断价值

目的:探讨神经元烯醇化酶(NSE)、癌胚抗原(CEA)和细胞角蛋白19(CYFRA21-1)测定对胸腔积液的诊断价值。方法:选择我院2009年4月～2011年9月收治的胸腔积液患者89例作为研究对象,按照胸腔积液性质分为两组,良性组47例,恶性组42例,对两组的NSE、CEA和CYFRA21-1测定结果进行比较分析。结果:恶性组患者血清和胸腔积液中NSE、CEA和CYFRA21-1水平均明显高于良性组,组间差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);NSE、CEA和CYFRA21-1联合检测对恶性胸腔积液的敏感性均明显高于单独NSE、CEA和CYFRA21-1检测,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:NSE、CEA和CYFRA21-1测定对胸腔积液具有临床诊断价值,且三者联合检测能够明显提高诊断敏感性。     

Evaluation of serum and pleural levels of soluble B7-H4 in lung cancer patients with pleural effusion

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of sB7-H4 and CEA in both serum and pleural effusion of lung cancer patients.

Methods: Levels of sB7-H4 and CEA in 90 patients with malignant pleural effusion due to lung cancer and 58 patients with benign pleural effusion were measured by ELISA.

Results: The sB7-H4 and CEA levels in pleural effusion, serum and their ratio (F/S) were higher in lung cancer group than that in benign group (p?<?0.01). The diagnostic efficiency of sB7-H4 combined CEA was superior to either sB7-H4 or CEA.

Conclusions: Measurement of sB7-H4 and CEA might be useful diagnostic value for malignant effusion.     

MCA in patients with breast cancer: correlation with CEA and CA15-3

MCA serum levels were determined in 27 healthy subjects, 136 with benign pathology (42 breast) and in 289 patients with cancer (247 active). The last group includes 223 patients with breast cancer (96 without metastases, 89 with metastases and 38 no-evidence of disease). CEA and CA15-3 serum levels were determined in all the patients with breast diseases. The mean levels of MCA were 4.7 + 2.4 U/ml in the control group, considering less than 11 U/ml as normal. MCA values were abnormal in 15.4% of patients with benign pathology, mainly in those with liver cirrhosis (8/20) and lung diseases (4/20). In the majority of these cases, the rise was only moderate, lower than 15 U/ml in 97.5% of patients. In malignant diseases, important increments were found in breast cancer (19.8% Mo, 77.5% M1) and ovarian cancer stages III-IV (44.4%). When we compared MCA serum levels with CA15-3 and CEA in breast pathology, a similar specificity was observed: 92.3%, 92.3% and 100% in cases with benign pathology and 92.1%, 94.7%, and 97.4% in NED patients, respectively. MCA and CA15-3 sensitivity was similar in breast cancer without metastases (19.8%) and lower for CEA (16.7%). In patients with breast cancer without metastases, we found a relation between positivity of these tumor markers and prognostic factors (tumor size, nodal involvement). The disease free interval in patients with locoregional breast cancer was shorter in cases with abnormal presurgical levels of some of the tumor markers, but only the difference from MCA was significant (p less than 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Dega骨盆截骨术后最佳中心边缘角的三维有限元分析

目的:应用三维有限元技术评估发育性髋关节脱位(developmental dysplasia of the hip,DDH)患儿在Dega骨盆截骨术后不同中心边缘角(center-edge angle,CEA)状态下髋臼的应力分布,为术前的手术规划提供有参考价值的生物力学结果。方法:使用已建立的DDH患者髋关节三维有限元模型,以术后CEA27°为中间值,每3°为一个变量,在Mimics誖10.0软件的模拟手术模块分别构建7组髋臼截骨术后的模型。在单腿站立和双腿站立状态下测量不同CEA状态下髋臼的应力分布。结果:单腿站立情况下,CEA为24°、27°、30°和33°的术后模型患侧髋臼的峰值应力接近正常侧。双腿站立情况下,CEA为24°时双侧髋臼的峰值应力最为接近。结论:对于该患者而言,在7组术后CEA中,24°时患侧髋臼的峰值应力与健侧最为接近,可以认为是最佳的术后CEA。有限元技术能够为Dega手术的术前规划提供个性化的指导方案。     

Statistical models for evaluation of pleural effusions

Statistical models designed to aid in the identification of neoplastic effusions were formulated. A computer program utilizing n-chotomous, multivariate probit analysis was used for estimation of model parameters. These parameters were estimated for an illustrative sample of 88 patients with effusions of unknown etiology. The outstanding feature of the statistical approach is its potential as a diagnostic and research tool. Regarding its diagnostic potential, if carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) levels of plasma (PLAS-CEA) and pleural fluid (PLFL-CEA) were used separately, PLAS-CEA values greater than 4.833 ng/ml and PLFL-CEA values greater than 4.193 ng/ml discriminated malignant from benign effusions. Elevated CEA levels in conjunction with cell block examination noticeably improved diagnostic efficacy. The thresholds are consistent with CEA levels found by other investigators. Furthermore, the method employed is specific in predicting the probability that a given effusion is malignant. Regarding its research potential, the efficacy of different sets of tests in predicting malignancy can be simultaneously and comparatively evaluated.     

Increased levels of albumin in bronchial washing fluid of patients with bronchial carcinoma. Could albumin be considered as a tumor marker?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of albumin in bronchial washing fluid (BWF) and its relationship to three tumor markers (CEA, CA 19-9 and NSE). METHODS: Serum and BWF samples were collected in a group of 60 patients. Albumin and tumor markers in the BWF and serum of three groups: a control group (CG), a chronic bronchitis group (CBG) and a lung cancer group (CaG), were analyzed in a prospective cross-sectional study. The diagnostic yields of the tests in each environment (serum and BWF) were evaluated by using as cutoff points the values of the corresponding 90th percentile of CG and CBG taken together. RESULTS: A significant difference in albumin level (p < 0.001) was noted in the BWF of patients with cancer compared with the other two groups. In addition, a significant difference in CEA level (p < 0.001) was observed in the serum of cancer patients compared with the other two groups. The cutoff values for CEA in serum and albumin in BWF were 2.20 ng/mL and 2.00 g/dL, respectively. The areas under the corresponding ROC curves were 93% and 97%. Combination of CEA-serum and albumin-BWF by logistic regression analysis increased their diagnostic value. CONCLUSION: Measurement of albumin levels in BWF could be a useful additional diagnostic tool to differentiate malignant from non-malignant lung diseases. Moreover, the combined measurement of CEA in serum and albumin in BWF could be of aid in the follow-up of lung cancer patients.     

Immunohistochemical differentiation of malignant mesothelioma, mesothelial hyperplasia and metastatic adenocarcinoma in serous effusions, utilizing staining for carcinoembryonic antigen, keratin and vimentin

The cytologic diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and its distinction from mesothelial hyperplasia and metastatic adenocarcinoma is consistently difficult; tissue studies utilizing the immunohistochemical profiles of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and keratin have demonstrated a reproducible distinction between these tumors. Mesothelium contains vimentin in addition to keratin, but its characterization is hindered by its poor preservation in formalin fixatives; alcohol fixation is far superior. Alcohol-fixed, Papanicolaou-stained smears of serous fluids from five cases of reactive mesothelium, five metastatic adenocarcinomas and five malignant mesotheliomas were stained with polyclonal CEA, antikeratin monoclonals AE1 and AE3 (combined) and monoclonal vimentin utilizing the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The study revealed the excellent preservation of mesothelial vimentin staining in all three groups. The reactive mesothelium and mesothelioma groups were strongly positive for vimentin and keratin whereas the metastatic adenocarcinoma group was only positive for keratin and CEA (except one case). These findings support the results of previous tissue studies, disclosing CEA staining in the metastatic adenocarcinomas, but not in the mesotheliomas, and the inability of keratin staining to distinguish between the two. The findings also emphasize that positive vimentin staining will usually exclude a metastatic adenocarcinoma, but will not distinguish between neoplastic and reactive mesothelial states.