A blood tumor marker combination assay produces high sensitivity and specificity for cancer according to the natural history

Abstract

Abstract Diagnosis using a specific tumor marker is difficult because the sensitivity of this detection method is under 20%. Herein, a tumor marker combination assay, combining growth‐related tumor marker and associated tumor marker (Cancer, 73(7), 1994), was employed. This double‐blind tumor marker combination assay (TMCA) showed 87.5% sensitivity as the results, but a low specificity, ranging from 30 to 76%. To overcome this low specificity, we exploited complex markers, a multivariate analysis and serum fractionation by biochemical biopsy. Thus, in this study, a combination of new techniques was used to re‐evaluate these serum samples. Three serum panels, containing 90, 120, and 97 samples were obtained from the Mayo Clinic. The final results showed 80‐90% sensitivity, 84‐85% specificity, and 83‐88% accuracy. We demonstrated a notable tumor marker combination assay with high accuracy. This TMCA should be applicable for primary cancer detection and recurrence prevention.

Keywords

• Associated tumor marker
• growth‐related tumor marker
• risk assessment of cancer by tumor marker combination assay
• serum protein fractionation by biochemical biopsy
• specific tumor marker