TUMOUR MARKERS :
Among the newer diagnostic techniques introduced in recent years, tumour markers occupy a relatively important place in the earlier detection and monitoring of malignant disease. The carcinoembryonic antigen is an abnormal constituent detected in the blood of patients with gastro-intestinal malignancies: the alpha-feto globulin has bejen found in patients with hepatomas: The Prostate Specific Antigen is diagnostically useful in Prostate carcinomas :and the CA-125 is also a useful marker in ovarianand cervical carcinomas.
THERAPEUTIC DRUGS, "DRUG METABOLITES, DRUGS OF ABUSE & ALCOHOL:
The importance of monitoring for therapeutic drugs with a narrow safety window cannot be
understated and physicians today have realized the value and advantage of these tests. Anti-epileptic drugs, anti-psychotic drugs, Theophylline, Digoxin and Lithium are some of the drugs that need to be monitored to avoid toxicity and gain maximum therapeutic benefit. A copy of an article on
Therapeutic drug monitoring published in Bio-M.ed is also attached for your perusal.
OTHER TESTS:
A Range of other hormones such as insulin, Gastrin, A.C.T.H. (Adreno-Cortico-Trophic-ormone), ParaThyroid Hormone, Human Growth Hormone and Cortisol are also assayed by the Radio-Immuno Assay method. The ease and rapid assay method coupled with high sensitivity make this method especially useful for Suppression and Stimulation tests. The Immune response is also quantified using Radio-Immuno-Assay, and is therapectically useful in cases of Sensitisations and Allergies.