Carcinoembryonic antigen

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Carcinoembryonic antigen
Structure of extracellular domains of CEACAM based on 1e07[1]
Identifiers
SymbolCEACAM
Membranome211

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) describes a set of highly-related glycoproteins involved in cell adhesion. CEA is normally produced in gastrointestinal tissue during fetal development, but the production stops before birth. Consequently, CEA is usually present at very low levels in the blood of healthy adults (about 2–4 ng/mL).[2] However, the serum levels are raised in some types of cancer, which means that it can be used as a tumor marker in clinical tests. Serum levels can also be elevated in heavy smokers.[3]

CEA are

CD66f
.

History

CEA was first identified in 1965 by

colon cancer tissue extracts.[7]

Diagnostic significance

The CEA blood test is not reliable for diagnosing cancer or as a screening test for early detection of cancer.[8] Most types of cancer do not result in a high CEA level.[9]

COPD, Crohn's disease, hypothyroidism[13] as well as in smokers.[14] Elevated CEA levels should return to normal after successful surgical removal of the tumor and can be used in follow up, especially of colorectal cancers.[15]

CEA elevation is known to be affected by multiple factors. It varies inversely with tumor grade; well-differentiated tumors secrete more CEA. CEA is elevated more in tumors with lymph node and distant metastasis than in organ-confined tumors and, thus, varies directly with tumor stage. Left-sided tumors generally tend to have higher CEA levels than right-sided tumors.[16] Tumors causing bowel obstruction produce higher CEA levels.[16] Aneuploid tumors produce more CEA than diploid tumors.[17] Liver dysfunction increases CEA levels as the liver is the primary site of CEA metabolism.[3]

Antibodies

Immunohistochemistry using antibodies against CEA in a hepatocellular carcinoma, showing the typical canalicular pattern.[18]

An anti-CEA antibody is an

WT1, and calretinin.[20] For cancers that highly express CEA, targeting CEA through radioimmunotherapy is one of the therapy approaches.[21] Engineered antibodies such as single-chain Fv antibodies (sFvs) or bispecific antibodies have been used for targeting and therapy of CEA expressing tumors both in vitro and in vivo with promising results [22][23]
Regions of high CEA levels in the body can be detected with the

Genetics

CEA and related

immunoglobulin
superfamily.

In humans, the carcinoembryonic antigen family consists of 29 genes, 18 of which are normally expressed.[25] The following is a list of human genes which encode carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion proteins: CEACAM1, CEACAM3, CEACAM4, CEACAM5, CEACAM6, CEACAM7, CEACAM8, CEACAM16, CEACAM18, CEACAM19, CEACAM20, CEACAM21

See also

References

  1. S2CID 5765612
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  16. ^ a b "Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) Exeter Clinical Laboratory International". www.exeterlaboratory.com. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  17. ^ Rodriguez-Bigas, Miguel A.; Lin, Edward H.; Crane, Christopher H. (2003), "Tumor Markers", Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine. 6th edition, BC Decker, retrieved 2023-10-13
  18. "
  19. , retrieved 2023-10-13
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  24. ^ Cheng KT (2013). "99mTc-Arcitumomab". Molecular Imaging and Contrast Agent Database (MICAD). Bethesda (MD): National Center for Biotechnology Information (US).
  25. PMID 10202129
    .

External links