Evaluating blood levels of neuron specific enolase, chromogranin A, and circulating tumor cells as Merkel cell carcinoma biomarkers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. Although used to monitor MCC patients, the clinical utility of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and chromogranin A (ChrA) blood levels is untested. EpCAM-positive circulating tumor cells (CTC) reflect disease status in several epithelial tumors. Here we investigate the use of NSE and ChrA blood levels and CTC counts as biomarkers for MCC disease behavior.

Methods

NSE and ChrA blood levels from 60 patients with MCC were retrospectively analyzed; 30 patients were additionally screened for CTC. Biomarker values were correlated to clinical parameters.

Results

Despite routine use by some physicians, NSE and ChrA blood levels did not correlate with progression free survival, disease specif

SUBMITTER: Gaiser MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4694915 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature