Diagnostic performance of CD66c in lung adenocarcinoma-associated malignant pleural effusion: comparison with CEA, CA 19-9, and CYFRA 21-1

• Published in: Pathology 2015-02, Vol.47 (2), p.123-129
• Main Authors: Son, Seung-Myoung, Han, Hye-Suk, An, Jin Young, Choe, Kang Hyeon, Lee, Ki Man, Lee, Ki Hyeong, Kim, So-Seul, Lee, Yong-Moon, Lee, Ho-Chang, Song, Hyung Geun, Lee, Ok-Jun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - complications; Adenocarcinoma - metabolism; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, CD - metabolism; Antigens, Neoplasm - metabolism; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; CA 19; CA-19-9 Antigen - metabolism; Carcinoembryonic Antigen - metabolism; CD66c; CEA; CEACAM6; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; CYFRA 21; Female; Humans; Keratin-19 - metabolism; lung adenocarcinoma; Lung Neoplasms - complications; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Male; Middle Aged; pleural effusion; Pleural Effusion, Malignant - diagnosis; Pleural Effusion, Malignant - etiology; Pleural Effusion, Malignant - metabolism; Sensitivity and Specificity; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0031-3025; 1465-3931
• DOI: 10.1097/PAT.0000000000000215

Various tumour markers have been evaluated in malignant pleural effusions, but not CD66c. This study evaluated the diagnostic ability of CD66c in lung adenocarcinoma-associated malignant pleural effusions (LA-MPEs) and compared it with other known tumour markers. Forty-seven cases of LA-MPE and 52 cases of benign pleural effusions were collected. The levels of CD66c, CEA, CA 19-9, and CYFRA 21-1 were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The expression of CD66c, CEA, and CA 19-9 in cell blocks was measured by immunocytochemistry. CEA had the best diagnostic values, with a sensitivity of 87.2% and specificity of 92.3%. Both CD66c and CA 19-9 showed the highest specificity of 98.1%, with sensitivities of 63.8% and 55.3%, respectively. CYFRA 21-1 had a sensitivity of 83.0% and specificity of 76.9%. CEA combined with CA 19-9 reached a sensitivity of 91.5% and a specificity of 98.1%. The sensitivities of immunocytochemical staining for CD66c, CEA, and CA 19-9 were 72.5%, 75%, and 40%, respectively. CD66c showed a diagnostic performance comparable to CYFRA 21-1 and CA 19-9 by enzyme immunoassay. Immunocytochemical study showed that CD66c and CEA were more sensitive than CA19-9. Both studies support CD66c as a potential tumour marker to differentiate LA-MPE from benign effusions.