carcinoembryonic antigen

noun

car·​ci·​no·​em·​bry·​on·​ic antigen ˌkär-sə-nō-ˌem-brē-ˈä-nik- How to pronounce carcinoembryonic antigen (audio)
: a glycoprotein present in fetal digestive-tract tissues and in peripheral blood of patients with some forms of cancer

Examples of carcinoembryonic antigen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In the 1950s, for instance, researchers linked a drug named methotrexate to an antibody that targets carcinoembryonic antigen, a common tumor marker, and tested whether the construct could treat advanced colorectal and ovarian cancers in people. Jyoti Madhusoodanan, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2024 Tumor marker tests measure carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, proteins that appear in the blood in response to liver cancer, gallbladder cancer, and other gastrointestinal cancers.9 Imaging Tests Imaging tests can help visualize the tumor and surrounding structures. Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2023 The Athletic reported that Mancini received word on June 21, 2021 that tests showed an elevation of a carcinoembryonic antigen at an above normal level. Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carcinoembryonic antigen was in 1965

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Cite this Entry

“Carcinoembryonic antigen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carcinoembryonic%20antigen. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

carcinoembryonic antigen

noun
car·​ci·​no·​em·​bry·​on·​ic antigen ˌkärs-ᵊn-ō-ˌem-brē-ˌän-ik- How to pronounce carcinoembryonic antigen (audio)
: a glycoprotein present in fetal gut tissues during the first two trimesters of pregnancy and in peripheral blood of patients with some forms of cancer (as of the digestive system or the breast)
abbreviation CEA
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