An important part of Roche’s portfolio in tumor markers for managing patients with squamous cell cancers
The SCC assay is used as an aid in the management of patients with squamous cell carcinoma in conjunction with other methods that align to the standard clinical management guidelines.
SCCA levels can be elevated in squamous cell cancers and it has been reported that more advanced cancer stages are associated with higher SCCA levels especially in lung and cervical cancer.1,2,7 It was reported that measurement of the antigen, in serial determinations, aids in the assessment of disease recurrence, residual disease following treatment, and response to therapy.3,4,7
SCC antigen in different types of squamous cell cancers:
General clinical relevance of SCCA:
SCCA has been studied in squamous cell malignancies including lung, uterine cervix, esophagus, head & neck, anal canal and skin.12,13,14,15 The more advanced cancer stages are associated with higher SCCA levels especially in lung- and cervical cancer and it was reported that measurement of the antigen, in serial determinations, aids in the assessment of disease recurrence, residual disease following treatment, and response to therapy.16,17
SCCA in lung cancer:
SCCA has been reported as a biomarker for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), mainly of the squamous cell carcinoma type, provided that patients with renal failure are excluded.25 SCC in lung is closely correlated with a history of tobacco smoking, more than other types of lung cancer.26 Utility of SCCA in lung cancer has also been reported as it indicates disease recurrence and residual disease following treatment and response to therapy'
SCCA in cervical cancer:
The most common histology in cervical cancer is SCC, with SCCA being the biomarker of choice for this histology. Serum levels of SCCA have been found to correlate with tumor stage, tumor size, residual tumor after treatment, recurrent or progressive disease, and survival in patients with squamous cell cervical cancer.29,30 SCCA has been recognized as the marker of choice for the follow-up of cervical cancer according to the European Group of Tumor Markers guidelines. Especially the value in predicting prognosis, monitoring31 and pretreatment identification of patients at high risk for lymph node metastases in squamous cell cervical cancer has been described in literature.32
SCCA in head & neck cancer:
Head & neck cancer refers to a group of biologically similar cancers that can occur for example in the lip, oral and nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx. In patients with primary tumors, SCCA serum levels were related to nodal involvement with significantly higher levels in node-positive patients. Multivariate analyses showed that SCCA is a significant independent predictor of disease-free survival and pretreatment levels are an independent prognostic indicator in patients with head and neck malignancies.34
* Human samples only
References
