Combined Diagnostic Utility of Serum CA15-3 and Routine Hematological Indicators for Breast Cancer Differentiation in an Iraqi Cohort
- 1Department of Radiology and Sonar Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques, Gilgamesh University, 10022 Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq.
- 2Department of Medical Laboratories Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques, Gilgamesh University, Baghdad, Iraq.
- 3College of Nursing, University of Al-Mustaqbal, Babylon, Iraq.
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.
Methods:: 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.
Results:: 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.
Conclusion:: 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.
Related
- Serum Cystatin 4 combined with routine clinical laboratory indicators: A support vector machine diagnostic model for early screening of gastrointestinal tumors
- Non-contrast dual-layer spectral detector CT combined with laboratory indicators for differentiating hepatic hemangiomas from malignant liver tumours: development and internal validation of a diagnostic prediction model.
- Associations Between Longitudinal Antenatal Hematological Indicators and Risk of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Newborns — Beijing, China, 2011–2025
- Associations Between Psychological Factors, Routine Hematological and Biochemical Indicators, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among University Students: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study.
- Diagnostic value of hematological inflammatory indices for renal involvement in adult IgA vasculitis : A cross-sectional study
BibTeX
@article{mohaibes2026combined,
title = {{Combined Diagnostic Utility of Serum CA15-3 and Routine Hematological Indicators for Breast Cancer Differentiation in an Iraqi Cohort}},
author = {Mohammed Jaber Mohaibes and Mayada Al-Khafaji and Fakhria Muhaibes},
journal = {Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2251},
url = {https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2251},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Combined Diagnostic Utility of Serum CA15-3 and Routine Hematological Indicators for Breast Cancer Differentiation in an Iraqi Cohort
AU - Mohammed Jaber Mohaibes
AU - Mayada Al-Khafaji
AU - Fakhria Muhaibes
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/22
JO - Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
DO - 10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2251
UR - https://doi.org/10.31557/apjcp.2026.27.6.2251
AB - 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. Methods:: 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. Results:: 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. Conclusion:: 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.
SN - 1513-7368
SN - 2476-762X
ER -