Background: Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), one of the most widely used tumor markers, has been recently associated with carotid atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether CEA concentrations have a role in coronary artery disease (CAD).
Methods: Serum CEA concentrations were evaluated in 89 patients, including 50 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (Group I, 44 with acute myocardial infarction, six with unstable angina, 38 males, 65 ± 2 years) and 39 patients with stable CAD (Group II, 33 males, 66 ± 3 years). In addition, 33 subjects (16 males, 62 ± 2 years) were also included as a control group (Group III).
Results: ACS was significantly associated with increased mean CEA concentrations (3.1 ± 0.3 vs. 1.75 ± 0.1 and 1.7 ± 0.2 ng/mL in Groups I, II and III, respectively, p < 0.001). Increased CEA concentrations remained an independent determinant for ACS (OR=3.1, 95% CI=1.2-7.9, p < 0.05) after correcting for other significant risk factors.
Conclusions: CEA might represent a potential new candidate biomarker for the prediction of risk associated with ACS.