Luminoimmunometric assay of tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) and cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) in breast cancer patients.

Serum TPA and CA-125 were determined in 86 individuals (66 with breast cancer representing the different stages and grades of the disease and 20 normal healthy controls). TPA and CA-125 were estimated using the LIA reagents supplied by BYK Sangtec. TPA showed sensitivity rates of 31.8%, 42.4% and 51.5% while CA-125 showed sensitivities of 16.3%, 18.6% and 25.6% at specificity levels of 100%, 95% and 90% respectively. Combined determination of the two markers resulted in some improvement in sensitivity. For follow-up of breast cancer patients after surgery both markers were of value and showed near-identical patterns.