Tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor, carcinoembryonic antigen and
acute-phase reactant proteins CRP and alpha 1-antitrypsin in patients
with gastrointestinal malignancies
Objectives: Elevated serum tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI)
levels have been observed in association with malignancy or
inflammation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of TATI in
gastric and colorectal cancer.
Design and methods: In preoperative serum samples, we measured TATI,
carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), C-reactive protein (CRP) and
alpha(1)-antitrypsin (AAT).
Results: Elevated levels of TATI were observed in 50% and 41.7% of
patients with gastric and colorectal cancer. Elevated levels of TATI
were observed only in 8% of patients with benign gastrointestinal
malignancies (92% specificity). Elevated levels of CEA were observed in
25% and 24.4% of patients, respectively. The total positivity of CEA
and TATI (with at least one marker positive) was 62.5% and 57%,
respectively. Spearman’s test has shown a statistically significant
correlation among serum TATI, CRP and AAT levels (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: In gastrointestinal cancer, TATI can be used as a
complementary tumour marker in addition to CEA. Regulation of TATI
synthesis resembles that of acute-phase reactant proteins. (C) 2003 The
Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. All rights reserved
