Clinical Significance

Carcinoembryoniic antigen (CEA), first described by Gold and Freedman in 1965, was isolated from extracts of liver metastases of colon adenocarcinomas and normal fetal digestive tract. It is considered one of the most extensively investigated human tumor associated antigens. An immunologically heterogeneous group of glycoproteins, CEA is approximately 200,000 daltons with 50-58% carbohydrates by weight. CEA is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily and appears to have functions of an intercellular adhesion molecule.

The measurement of serum CEA has shown substantial benefit in the prognosis and management of patients with malignant diseases, especially colorectal cancer. Serial measurements can be used to monitor patients for progression, regression or recurrence of cancer following treatment. A persistent elevation of CEA following therapeutic or surgical intervention signals residual disease or recurrence, whereas decreasing levels to within normal range is indicative of successful intervention.  CEA is also elevated in the serum of patients with non-malignant diseases and in heavy smokers, therefore CEA should not be used in the diagnosis of cancer or for screening asymptomatic patients.

_{Source: Access CEA IFU #33200, 12/7/16}