Utility of selected tumor-associated antigens in systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease – a retrospective single-center study

Introduction
Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease, in which interstitial lung disease is one of the most common clinical manifestations, being the leading cause of death among this group of patients as well. Recent literature data suggest that selected tumor-associated antigens correlate with pulmonary involvement in systemic sclerosis. Therefore they may serve as a prognostic factor for presence of interstitial lung disease.

Objective
To evaluate the usefulness of assessing tumor-associated antigens in systemic sclerosis according to coexistence of interstitial lung disease.

Material and methods
We performed a retrospective analysis of data from medical records of 51 patients with systemic sclerosis in whom at least one tumor-associated antigen level was assessed. Clinical parameters, subtype of the disease and presence of interstitial lung disease were evaluated.

Results
There were 28 patients with interstitial lung disease and 23 patients without interstitial lung disease. Elevated levels of at least tumor-associated antigen were observed in 20 of 28 patients with interstitial lung disease and 7 of 23 patients without interstitial lung disease. Levels of CA 15-3 and CA 125 directly correlated with presence of systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (p = 0.046 and p = 0.030, respectively).

Conclusions
Elevated levels of selected tumor-associated antigens are observed in systemic sclerosis. Some of them correlate with presence of interstitial lung disease. Assessment of certain tumor-associated antigen levels among patients with systemic sclerosis is essential in early diagnosis of malignancies and monitoring the course of the disease.