Tissue polypeptide specific antigen (TPS) throughout normal pregnancy

Abstract

Aim: TPS concentrations were measured throughout normal pregnancy in maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF), in order to evaluate the usefulness of TPS in the follow-up of pregnancy breast cancer patients.

Patients and methods: Following informed consent, 30 pregnant women during the 2nd trimester, 28 during the 3rd and 26 at parturition were included in the study. For comparison, 28 women in the 1st trimester and 28 healthy, non pregnant women (controls) were also studied. Both MS and AF antigen values were measured by an enzyme immunoassay (BEKI Diagnostics).

Results: Maternal serum TPS concentrations increased significantly with gestational age (p < 0.0001), being significantly higher in the 3rd trimester and during labor than those in the controls (p < 0.0001). Amniotic fluid TPS values were markedly elevated, compared with those in MS (p < 0.0001, paired-t-test), declining significantly from the 2nd to the 3rd trimester (p < 0.0015) and labor. Both MS and AF TPS values during labor depended on the mode of delivery, being higher in the cases terminated by vaginal delivery, compared to those by elective cesarean section.

Conclusion: Maternal serum TPS values are influenced significantly by pregnancy, and thus, this antigen, as tumor marker seems to be reliable only during early pregnancy.