Baseline chromogranin A and its dynamics are prognostic markers in gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Abstract

Aim: This study assessed whether absolute chromogranin A (CgA) values at various stages of treatment have prognostic value in patients with pancreatic and midgut neuroendocrine tumors, subjected to peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with ⁹⁰Y-[DOTA⁰, D-Phe¹, Tyr³]-octreotate.

Patients & methods: CgA was determined before peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, 6 weeks, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after the last dose of ⁹⁰Y-[DOTA⁰, D-Phe¹, Tyr³]-octreotate. The primary end point was overall survival.

Results: Elevated baseline CgA concentrations and their relative increase within the first year of observation were unfavorable predictors of overall survival, but not progression.

Conclusion: Even a single baseline measurement of CgA can be useful in establishing prognosis in this group, if this parameter exceeds its upper normal limit more than tenfold.

Keywords: chromogranin A; neuroendocrine tumors; prognosis; radionuclide therapy; survival.