CYFRA 21-1 is the most sensitive tumor marker in non-small cell lung cancer

A panel of tumor markers (CYFRA 21-1, CEA and SCC) was investigated in sera of inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and in healthy controls to evaluate the sensitivity of these assays individually or in combination. 54 patients of both sexes with histologically proven and previously untreated primary NSCLC were included in the study. Thirty-six cases were squamous cell carcinoma, 13 adenocarcinoma and 5 undifferentiated large cell carcinomas. All patients had non-operated gross disease. When the median values were taken into consideration CYFRA 21-1 serum levels showed a modest correlation with the stage of the disease. CYFRA 21-1 was the most sensitive tumor marker for both of the major histological subtypes (squamous cell and adenocarcinoma). Combined measurement of CYFRA 21-1 either with CEA or SCC or the combination of all three markers did not increase the sensitivity. We conclude that, CYFRA 21-1 should be the tumor marker of choice in NSCLC alleviating the need to perform different tumor marker combinations.