Different patterns of serum chromogranin A in patients with prostate cancer with and without undergoing hormonal therapy

James T. Wu*, Tsu Lan Wu, Christine P.Y. Chang, Kuo Chien Tsao, Chien Feng Sun

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Elevated serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels have been detected in patients with prostate cancer who have developed resistance to hormonal therapy. We would like to reexamine these cases by using serial specimens to determine whether such elevated levels are also detectable in prostate cancer patients not undergoing hormonal therapy. Serum CgA was measured in both random and serial specimens from prostate cancer patients with and without undergoing hormonal therapy. We found that serum CgA levels became elevated much earlier than did the levels of serum PSA in approximately one-third of prostate cancer patients developing resistance to hormonal therapy. On the other hand, serum CgA levels became elevated at later, more advanced stages of the disease in patients not undergoing hormonal therapy. Elevated serum CgA levels were usually detected in specimens containing highly elevated PSA. The early rise of serum CgA levels provides an early signal allowing a change of therapy to be made before the disease progresses to a fatal stage. Drugs targeting neuroendocrine cells should be considered for prostate cancer patients with elevated serum CgA levels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)308-311
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis
Volume13
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Hormonal resistance
  • Neuroendocrine cells

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Different patterns of serum chromogranin A in patients with prostate cancer with and without undergoing hormonal therapy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this