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HelpTest ID: C2729 Breast Carcinoma-Associated Antigen, Serum
Useful For
Aiding in the management of breast cancer in patients with metastatic disease by monitoring the progression or regression of disease in response to treatment
Serial testing in women with prior stage II or III breast cancer who are clinically free of disease
May be useful for predicting early recurrence of disease in women with treated carcinoma of the breast
This test is not useful for screening women for or diagnosis of carcinoma of the breast.
Method Name
Chemiluminometric Immunoassay
Reporting Name
Breast Carcinoma Assoc Ag(CA 27.29)Specimen Type
SerumSpecimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube, 5 mL (T914)
Collection Container/Tube:
Preferred: Serum gel
Acceptable: Red top
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial
Specimen Volume: 0.5 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Within 2 hours of collection, centrifuge and aliquot serum into a plastic vial. Specimens that have not been aliquoted will be canceled.
2. Send refrigerated.
Specimen Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 90 days | ||
| Ambient | 4 days |
Clinical Information
Carcinoma of the breast is the most prevalent form of cancer in women. These tumors often produce mucinous antigens, which are large-molecular-weight glycoproteins with O-linked oligosaccharide chains.
Monoclonal antibodies directed against these antigens have been developed, and several immunoassays are available to quantitate the levels of tumor-associated mucinous antigens in serum. The antibodies recognize epitopes of a breast cancer-associated antigen encoded by the human mucin 1 (MUC-1) gene, which is known by several names including MAM6, milk mucin antigen, cancer antigen (CA) 27.29, and CA 15-3.
While CA 27.29 is expressed at the apical surface of normal epithelial cells, it is present throughout malignant epithelial cells of the breast, lung, ovary, pancreas, and other sites. The cancer-associated form of the antigen is less extensively glycosylated than the normal form and more specific for tumor cells.
Reference Values
Males
≥18 years: ≤38.0 U/mL (use not defined)
Females
≥18 years: ≤38.0 U/mL
Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 18 years of age.
Serum markers are not specific for malignancy, and values may vary by method.
Interpretation
Increased levels of cancer-associated antigen (CA 27.29) (>38 U/mL) may indicate recurrent disease in a woman with treated breast carcinoma and may be useful as an indication that additional tests or procedures should be performed to confirm recurrence.
Clinical Reference
1. Bon GG, von Mensdorff-Pouilly S, Kenemans P, van Kamp GJ, Verstraeten RA, Hilgers J. Clinical and technical evaluation of ACS BR serum assay of MUC1 gene-derived glycoprotein in breast cancer, and comparison with CA 15-3 assays. Clin Chem. 1997;43(4):585-593
2. Chan DW, Beveridge RA, Muss H. Use of Truquant BR radioimmunoassay for early detection of breast cancer recurrence in patients with stage II and stage III disease. J Clin Oncol. 1997;15(6):2322-2328
3. Lin DC, Genzen JR. Concordance analysis of paired cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 and 27.29 testing. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018;167(1):269-276
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
Same day/1 to 3 daysTest Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
86300
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| C2729 | Breast Carcinoma Assoc Ag(CA 27.29) | 17842-6 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| C2729 | Breast Carcinoma Assoc Ag(CA 27.29) | 17842-6 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send 1 of the following forms with the specimen:
-General Request (T239)
-Oncology Test Request (T729)
mml-breast-cancer