Prognostic value of p53 expression in comparison with CEA, CA15‑3 and CA125 protein levels in patients with breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among females and the leading cause of cancer‑related mortality. Serum tumor markers provide a valid, non‑invasive method for assessing the prognosis and effectiveness of treatment for various types of cancer. The present study aimed to determine the prognostic value of p53 protein levels compared to other tumor markers (CA15‑3, CEA and CA125) in patients with breast cancer and to assess their associations with various molecular subtypes and clinicopathological parameters. The present study included 63 patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and docetaxel. Additionally, 23 female patients who did not receive treatment and 30 healthy individuals were used as controls. The p53 protein level was assessed using ELISA, while the serum levels of CEA, CA15‑3 and CA125 were determined using an immunoradiometric assay kit. The results revealed a significant positive correlation between CEA and the levels of CA15‑3 and CA125 (Rho=0.759, P=0.0001; and Rho=0.609, P=0.0001, respectively). Furthermore, a strong positive correlation was observed between CA15‑3 and CA125 levels in the patients with breast cancer (Rho=0.8151, P=0.0001). The results revealed significantly higher levels of CEA, CA125 and CA15‑3 (P=0.0001) in the pre‑treatment group of patients with breast cancer compared to the post‑treatment group; however, the p53 levels increased in the post‑treatment group compared to the pre‑treatment group. Sensitivity, specificity area under the curve and cut‑off values were also determined for the diagnosis of breast cancer. On the whole, the present study demonstrates that combining the three markers (CA15‑3, CEA and CA125) may provide a more effective biochemical diagnosis for patients with breast cancer than using a single marker. This approach may prove to be of value for prognostic information and determining disease progression.