Interpretation of increments in serial tumour biomarker concentrations depends on the distance of the baseline concentration from the cut-off
Abstract
Background: In the management of breast cancer, several algorithms for interpretation of measured concentrations during monitoring have been introduced, without objective evaluation of their performance regarding the distance of the starting concentration from the cut-off concentration.
Methods: A computer simulation model has developed using parameters for the tumour biomarker CA 15-3 regarding biological variation and different rates of increase during progressive disease. Seven different algorithms, which include the cut-off point in the calculations, are applied to the simulated data corresponding to 1000 surrogate patients. Steady-state variation (CV-within-subject=14.9%) is based on Gaussian random numbers and an exponential increase in tumour growth (λ=0.009, 0.021, and 0.090 kU/day).
Results: The main outcome of the simulations was that low starting concentrations (baseline concentrations) delay the detection of progressive disease (true-positive), whereas, baseline concentrations just below the cut-off value results in false-positive results of progression during steady-state situations. The algorithms investigated show varying susceptibility for baseline concentrations approaching the cut-off. Thus, three of the algorithms show >90% false-positives and three algorithms <5% false-positives when baseline concentrations were just below the cut-off point.
Conclusions: Based on the simulations, it is possible to select the optimal algorithms for early detection of progressive disease and a low percentage of false-positives.
©2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin New York
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Hepcidin: the main regulator of iron homeostasis
- Reviews
- Global trends in critical values practices and their harmonization
- Ischemia modified albumin changes – review and clinical implications
- Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics
- Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with post-stroke depression but not with BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism
- A novel liquidchip platform for simultaneous detection of 70 alleles of DNA somatic mutations on EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded slides containing tumor tissue
- General Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- Mass spectrometry measurement of plasma hepcidin for the prediction of iron overload
- Serum hepcidin-25 in comparison to biochemical markers and hematological indices for the differentiation of iron-restricted erythropoiesis
- The quality of the extra-analytical phase of laboratory practice in some developing European countries and Mexico – a multicentric study
- Impact of cryopreservation on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7, TIMP-1, vascular growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF-R2 in Biobank samples
- Determinants of circulating asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginines in patients evaluated for acute dyspnea
- Urinary stone composition in pediatric patients: a retrospective study of 205 cases
- Electrolyte-balanced heparin in blood gas syringes can introduce a significant bias in the measurement of positively charged electrolytes
- Full-scan mass spectral evidence for 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in serum of infants and adults
- Association of nucleated red blood cells in blood and arterial oxygen partial tension
- Validation and Outcome Studies
- Cystatin C is a reliable marker for estimation of glomerular filtration rate in renal transplantation: validation of a new turbidimetric assay using monospecific sheep antibodies
- Analytical validation of the Liaison Calcitonin_II-Gen (DiaSorin)
- A new tool in the field of in-vitro diagnosis of allergy: preliminary results in the comparison of ImmunoCAP© 250 with the ImmunoCAP© ISAC
- Rapid microwave digestion and microplate reading format method for urinary iodine determination
- Reference Values and Biological Variations
- Serum creatinine concentrations in male and female elite swimmers. Correlation with body mass index and evaluation of estimated glomerular filtration rate
- Biological variation of free β chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in first trimester pregnancies
- Non-infectious conditions and gestational age influence C-reactive protein values in newborns during the first 3 days of life
- Cancer Diagnostics
- Interpretation of increments in serial tumour biomarker concentrations depends on the distance of the baseline concentration from the cut-off
- Performance of nuclear matrix protein 22 urine marker and voided urine cytology in the detection of urinary bladder tumors
- High-performance metabolic marker assessment in breast cancer tissue by mass spectrometry
- BRAF analysis by fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules improves preoperative identification of papillary thyroid carcinoma and represents a prognostic factor. A mono-institutional experience
- Letters to the Editor
- Stat laboratory timeliness management according to clinician needs
- Stability of serum samples and hemolysis interference on the high sensitivity troponin T assay
- Falsely diminished results for insulin concentrations measured with the IMMULITE® 2000
- Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) determined in urine with the Abbott Architect or in plasma with the Biosite Triage? The laboratory's point of view
Articles in the same Issue
- Editorial
- Hepcidin: the main regulator of iron homeostasis
- Reviews
- Global trends in critical values practices and their harmonization
- Ischemia modified albumin changes – review and clinical implications
- Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics
- Decreased serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is associated with post-stroke depression but not with BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism
- A novel liquidchip platform for simultaneous detection of 70 alleles of DNA somatic mutations on EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and PIK3CA from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded slides containing tumor tissue
- General Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
- Mass spectrometry measurement of plasma hepcidin for the prediction of iron overload
- Serum hepcidin-25 in comparison to biochemical markers and hematological indices for the differentiation of iron-restricted erythropoiesis
- The quality of the extra-analytical phase of laboratory practice in some developing European countries and Mexico – a multicentric study
- Impact of cryopreservation on serum concentration of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-7, TIMP-1, vascular growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF-R2 in Biobank samples
- Determinants of circulating asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginines in patients evaluated for acute dyspnea
- Urinary stone composition in pediatric patients: a retrospective study of 205 cases
- Electrolyte-balanced heparin in blood gas syringes can introduce a significant bias in the measurement of positively charged electrolytes
- Full-scan mass spectral evidence for 3-epi-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in serum of infants and adults
- Association of nucleated red blood cells in blood and arterial oxygen partial tension
- Validation and Outcome Studies
- Cystatin C is a reliable marker for estimation of glomerular filtration rate in renal transplantation: validation of a new turbidimetric assay using monospecific sheep antibodies
- Analytical validation of the Liaison Calcitonin_II-Gen (DiaSorin)
- A new tool in the field of in-vitro diagnosis of allergy: preliminary results in the comparison of ImmunoCAP© 250 with the ImmunoCAP© ISAC
- Rapid microwave digestion and microplate reading format method for urinary iodine determination
- Reference Values and Biological Variations
- Serum creatinine concentrations in male and female elite swimmers. Correlation with body mass index and evaluation of estimated glomerular filtration rate
- Biological variation of free β chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A in first trimester pregnancies
- Non-infectious conditions and gestational age influence C-reactive protein values in newborns during the first 3 days of life
- Cancer Diagnostics
- Interpretation of increments in serial tumour biomarker concentrations depends on the distance of the baseline concentration from the cut-off
- Performance of nuclear matrix protein 22 urine marker and voided urine cytology in the detection of urinary bladder tumors
- High-performance metabolic marker assessment in breast cancer tissue by mass spectrometry
- BRAF analysis by fine needle aspiration biopsy of thyroid nodules improves preoperative identification of papillary thyroid carcinoma and represents a prognostic factor. A mono-institutional experience
- Letters to the Editor
- Stat laboratory timeliness management according to clinician needs
- Stability of serum samples and hemolysis interference on the high sensitivity troponin T assay
- Falsely diminished results for insulin concentrations measured with the IMMULITE® 2000
- Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) determined in urine with the Abbott Architect or in plasma with the Biosite Triage? The laboratory's point of view