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The new marker CA 549 was determined in the serum of 258 breast cancer patients, classified according to TNM (148 at diagnosis and 110 at relapse), using a RIA method (cut-off: 10 U/ml). CEA, CA 15-3 and MCA were also evaluated. At diagnosis, CA 549 was more sensitive than the other markers, and cut-off values of 11 and 12 U/ml did not significantly reduce sensitivity. No significant correlation existed between the markers, except for CA 15-3 and CA 549 (r = 0.65). A new quantitative approach to the four markers was effected in the relapsed patients: an X value was calculated for each marker by dividing serum concentration by its cut-off. In these patients, grouped according to the area involved, marker sensitivities were similar except in locoregional relapse, where CA 549 and MCA were the most sensitive. From the data obtained, the more defined cut-off and the good specificity, it is suggested that CA 549 be routinely determined in the follow-up of the disease.

CA 125 and CA 15.3 antigens were determined by enzyme immunoassay in 78 patients with ovarian cancer for a total of 540 determinations. The antigens were also investigated in sera from 100 women with other gynaecological diseases, 82 lung cancer patients and in 39 pleural fluids of varying origin. CA 15.3 reference values were evaluated in 91 healthy women (cut-off: 25 U/ml). CA 15.3 sensitivity at diagnosis (60%) and for detecting relapse (44%) was lower than that of CA 125 (90% and 64.7%, respectively). However, CA 15.3 does not increase with aspecific mesothelial cell reaction and thus it is more specific than CA 125. Combined use of the markers during follow-up improves early detection of relapse (at least one of the two was positive in 79% of cases). Therefore both CA 15.3 and CA 125 should be routinely determined for the detection and monitoring of ovarian cancer.