{
  "abstract": "Background:: Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of mortality among Iraqi women, underscoring the need for accessible diagnostic tools. This study evaluates the combined utility of the tumor marker CA15-3 and routine hematological parameters as an adjunctive tool for distinguishing between treatment-naïve BC patients with a pre-existing diagnosis and healthy individuals.\n\nMethods:: In this case-control study, 100 female BC patients (Group I) and 50 healthy controls (Group II) were recruited. Serum CA15-3 levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA), and a complete blood count was performed. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests, ROC curve analysis, and logistic regression to develop a combined diagnostic model. All BC patients were treatment-naïve and were required to submit blood samples prior to undergoing any surgical procedure, although they had already been diagnosed.\n\nResults:: CA15-3 levels were significantly higher in BC patients (26.1 ± 7.5 U/mL) than in controls (7.54 ± 2.6 U/mL; P < 0.001). Significant differences were also observed in white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), lymphocyte, and platelet counts (all P < 0.05). ROC analysis showed excellent diagnostic performance for CA15-3 alone (AUC = 0.98). A combined model integrating CA15-3 with the four hematological parameters achieved a superior AUC of 0.99, with 96% sensitivity and specificity.\n\nConclusion:: Elevated CA15-3 is confirmed as a key diagnostic marker for BC. Integrating CA15-3 with specific, routinely measured hematological indicators provides an improved, accessible, and cost-effective adjunctive tool for differentiating treatment-naïve BC patients from healthy individuals. This approach may be particularly useful for triaging patients with suspicious symptoms or monitoring those with established diagnoses.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Radiology and Sonar Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques, Gilgamesh University, 10022 Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq.",
    "Department of Medical Laboratories Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques, Gilgamesh University, Baghdad, Iraq.",
    "College of Nursing, University of Al-Mustaqbal, Babylon, Iraq."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 3,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mohammed Jaber Mohaibes"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Mayada Al-Khafaji"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Fakhria Muhaibes"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1m1rsktdnxm66.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2251",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13726733/",
  "id": "1m1rsktdnxm66",
  "issns": [
    "1513-7368",
    "2476-762X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2251",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Research Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1306|Breast Cancer Treatment Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7165886945",
  "pdf_url": "https://journal.waocp.org/article_92259_02cfbc9c5ad4963a849988ab0904fc4d.pdf",
  "pmcid": "PMC13726733",
  "pmid": "42345174",
  "published": "2026-06-22",
  "publisher": "Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1m1rsktdnxm66.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-05T12:23:00Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13726733",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2251"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:1306|Breast Cancer Treatment Studies",
      "subfield": "oncology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Combined Diagnostic Utility of Serum CA15-3 and Routine Hematological Indicators for Breast Cancer Differentiation in an Iraqi Cohort",
  "title_text": "Combined Diagnostic Utility of Serum CA15-3 and Routine Hematological Indicators for Breast Cancer Differentiation in an Iraqi Cohort",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-06T12:22:37Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/1m1rsktdnxm66",
  "venue": "Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP",
  "versions": []
}