External quality assessment-based tumor marker harmonization simulation; insights in achievable harmonization for CA 15-3 and CEA

Abstract Objectives CA 15-3 and CEA are tumor markers used in routine clinical care for breast cancer and colorectal cancer, among others. Current measurement procedures (MP) for these tumor markers are considered to be insufficiently harmonized. This study investigated the achievable harmonization for CA 15-3 and CEA by using an in silico simulation of external quality assessment (EQA) data from multiple EQA programs using patient-pool based samples. Methods CA 15-3 and CEA data from SKML (2021), UK NEQAS (2020–2021) and KEQAS (2020–2021) were used. A harmonization protocol was defined in which MPs that were considered equivalent were used to value assign EQA samples, and recalibration was only required if the MP had a bias of >5 % with value assigned EQA. Harmonization status was assessed by determining the mean level of agreement and residual variation by CV (%). Results Only MPs from Abbott, Beckman, Roche and Siemens were available in all EQA programs. For CA 15-3, recalibration was proposed for Beckman MP only and for CEA, recalibration was proposed for Siemens MP only. When the harmonization procedures were applied, for CA 15-3 the pre-harmonization mean bias range per MP was reduced from −29.28 to 9.86 %, into −0.09–0.12 % after harmonization. For CEA, the mean bias range per MP was reduced from −23.78 to 2.00 % pre-harmonization to −3.13–1.42 % post-harmonization. Conclusions The present study suggests that a significant improvement in the harmonization status of CA 15-3 and CEA may be achieved by recalibration of a limited number of MPs.