Prognostic Value and Predictive Utility of CA15 3 and CRP as Pathophysiological Biomarkers in Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Pathology, Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Radiology, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

10.22034/mphrj.2026.586290.1100
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer outcomes vary widely, creating a need for accessible biomarkers that reflect tumor burden and systemic inflammation during chemotherapy. CA15 3 and CRP may provide complementary prognostic and predictive information. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value and predictive utility of CA15 3 and CRP in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Material and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study will be conducted at Shahid Madani Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, using convenience sampling to enroll 70 breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Demographic, clinicopathological, and treatment data, along with serum CA15-3 and CRP levels, will be collected and analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: In 70 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy, the mean age was 49.8 ± 10.7 years; 80.0% had invasive ductal carcinoma, 70.0% had lymph node involvement, and 18.6% had metastasis. Median CA15-3 and CRP levels were 31.5 U/mL and 8.9 mg/L, respectively.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that CA15-3 and CRP reflect related but non-identical biological dimensions in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. While CA15-3 appears to represent tumor-associated activity, CRP likely captures the accompanying systemic inflammatory response.

Graphical Abstract

Prognostic Value and Predictive Utility of CA15 3 and CRP as Pathophysiological Biomarkers in Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy

Keywords

Subjects

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