Biomarkers are considered as an innovative tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of breast cancer. The
aim of the study was to assess the profile of circulating tumour markers CA 15-3 and CEA in patients
under chemotherapy for breast cancer in Ouagadougou. This is a prospective cross-sectional study
with a descriptive and analytical aims which was done from July to November 2020. Patients with
histologically confirmed malignant breast tumour and under chemotherapy were included. Results
revealed that the study was on thirty (30) female patients whose average age was 47.47 ± 2.10 years
with a mean BMI of 27.29 ± 1.09 kg/m2. It was a non-specific type of infiltrating carcinoma with SBRm II
grade in 90% of the patients. The mean CA 15-3 was 212.98 U/mL before chemotherapy and 165.75 U/mL
after it. The CEA mean value was 3.13 ng/L before chemotherapy and 16.14 ng/L after it. Serum CA 15-3
was significantly associated with tumour site, SBRm grade, chemotherapy line and treatment response.
Serum CEA level was significantly associated with tumour site and SBRm grade. Despite their lack of
sensitivity, tumour markers, particularly CA 15-3 enabled assessment of the response to treatment in
patients in this study.

Tumour markers, CA 15-3, CEA, breast cancer, chemotherapy