The Carcino-Embryonnaire (or ACE) antigen is a protein that is mainly measured to detect colon cancer. Dosage of dosage, standards, meaning of a high rate, causes of an increase …
The Carcino-Embryonnaire (or ACE) antigen is a protein which is normally detected in very small quantities in the blood of adults. There may be an increase in the ACE blood rate in the presence of certain types of cancer and benign conditions. We mainly use the dosage of the ACE for the colon cancer. Results, indications, standards.
Definition: What is the marker ACE?
The Carcino-Embryonnaire Antigen (ACE) East a protein that intervenes in the cellular adhesion mechanism. It is normally present in the fetus during the First 6 months of pregnancyhence his name. In adults, its presence in small quantities is normalbut an elevation of its concentration in the blood can be observed in certain pathologies, whether they are benign (non-cancer) or cancerous. Dosage is done by simple blood test prescribed by a doctor. It does not require being on an empty stomach.
Why do a dosage of the ACE?
“”In Some types of cancer and in some patients (mainly those with metastases), The dosage of the ACE can reflect the evolution of cancer under treatmentexplains François-Clément Bidard, professor of medicine in medical oncology at the Institut Curie and at the University of Versailles Saint Quentin Paris Saclay. Schematically, the more the marker drops, the more effective the treatment is likely to be effective (and vice versa). It is thereforeAn easy to do and which can provide useful information on conducting treatment“.
Is it a marker of colon cancer?
In other cases, especially Colorectal cancerthis marker can also be used to search for a possible relapse after the treatment of localized cancer. “”The main problem of the ACE (and more generally of all “serum markers”) is, on the one hand, thatThere are many cancers that do not express this marker (and whose evolution cannot therefore be followed by dosage of the ACE) and, on the other hand, that many pathologies having nothing to do with cancer can cause variations in this marker, which highly limits reliability“Continues the specialist.
What are the causes of a high ACE rate?
Physiological variations are observed according to sex and with age in the dosage of the ACE. Its concentration is higher in humansin the elderly and during the first two quarters of a pregnancy. Protein also increases in many pathologies:
- Colon polyps
- Crohn’s disease
- Digestive and hepatobiliary inflammatory diseases
- Pancreatitis
- Pulmonary conditions
- Renal failure
- Inflammatory syndromes
- Chronic alcoholism
- Cirrhosis
The results do not alone constitute a diagnosis. It is therefore important to consult a doctor in order to provide with him additional examinations or a possible treatment.
What are the ACE standards?
Normal ACE values are generally lower than 5 ng/ml, or 5 micrograms/L in adults. Standards may however vary depending on the technique used and between laboratories. The presence of ACE in small quantities in adults is not abnormal. ACE is also in found in some people who are patients. We know, for example, that around 3 % of the population has a high blood rate of carcino-embryonic antigen. Smokers, too, have high values.
Thank you to François-Clément Bidard, professor of medicine in medical oncology at the Institut Curie and at the University of Versailles Saint Quentin Paris Saclay.
