Significance of carcinoembryonic antigen detection in the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor involving adenomas that develop into malignant lesions. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a non-specific serum biomarker upregulated in CRC. The concentration of CEA is modulated by tumor stage and grade, tumor site in the colon, ploidy status, and patient smoking status. This study aimed to evaluate current evidence regarding the diagnostic power of CEA levels in the early detection of CRC recurrence in adults. AIM To evaluate current evidence regarding the diagnostic power of CEA levels in the early detection of CRC recurrence in adults. METHODS A systematic search was performed using four databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane Trials, EMBASE, and the Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were as follows: Adult patients aged ≥ 18 years who had completed CRC curative treatment and were followed up postoperatively; reporting the number of CRC recurrences as an outcome; and randomized, clinical, cohort, and case-control study designs. Studies that were not published in English and animal studies were excluded. The following data were extracted by three independent reviewers: Study design, index tests, follow-up, patient characteristics, and primary outcomes. All statistical analyses were performed using the RevMan 5.4.1. RESULTS A total of 3232 studies were identified, with 73 remaining following the elimination of duplicates. After screening on predetermined criteria, 12 studies were included in the final analysis. At a reference standard of 5 mg/L, CEA detected only approximately half of recurrent CRCs, with a pooled sensitivity of 59% (range, 33%–83%) and sensitivity of 89% (range, 58%–97%). CONCLUSION CEA is a significant marker for CRC diagnosis. However, it has insufficient sensitivity and specificity to be used as a single biomarker of early CRC recurrence, with an essential proportion of false negatives.