Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein tumor-associated antigen widely used in oncology as a biomarker and experimental target.
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a glycoprotein tumor-associated antigen widely used in oncology as a biomarker and experimental target. It is best known for its clinical association with gastrointestinal malignancies, especially colorectal cancer, but it is also studied across other solid tumors, including gastric, lung, breast, head/neck, melanoma, and prostate cancers. In biomedical research, CEA is valued both as a measurable circulating marker and as a cell-surface target for diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Biologically, CEA is relevant because its expression can reflect tumor burden, disease progression, or treatment response in some settings. It is also used as a target antigen for immunotherapy platforms, including CD3-based bispecific T-cell engagers, where binding to CEA on tumor cells can help redirect cytotoxic T cells toward antigen-specific killing. In parallel, CEA is a major focus of biosensor development because sensitive detection can support early diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
Where the papers sit
17 papers from the last 6 months study Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) directly · updated from PubMed 8 Oct 2026
Study type 0 clinical trials · 3 observational · 11 human data · 3 preclinical
Themes 3 themes · 1 paradigm shift
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Photoelectrochemical CEA Sensing
Photoelectrochemical and electrochemical CEA assays are moving toward ultrasensitive, label-free detection through engineered charge transport. Nitrogen-doped carbon layers, Bi2O3/Zn3In2S6 and SnS2/ZIS@ZnS heterojunctions are used to raise photocurrent and lower detection limits. Graphene oxide platforms, Ce-UiO-66 aptasensors and CuInS2 quantum-dot aerogels broaden electrochemical and electrochemiluminescent formats. The recurring goal is selective, low-background biomarker measurement, while clinical validation remains open.
6 papers · 35.3%
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Portable CEA Assays
Serum CEA testing is moving toward portable visual and fluorescence assays that combine high sensitivity with simple readouts. Paper-based PtCu nanozyme tests and MOF-programmed lateral-flow formats target smartphone-compatible or naked-eye quantification. PEGylated graphene oxide aptasensors, CuFeS2/glucose oxidase cascades and Au@Ag hairpin probes add antifouling or enzyme-free signal amplification. Clinical serum samples recur, but the studies mainly establish analytical range, selectivity and detection limits rather than clinical outcome utility.
5 papers · 29.4%
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Others — CEA Cancer Applications
Engineered Salmonella expressing apoptin is studied alongside TNF-enhanced bispecific T-cell engager therapy in solid tumours. Other work uses tumour markers or symptom–nutrition scores for metastatic or colorectal-cancer prognosis. Biosensor design appears alongside these therapeutic and clinical questions, including EIT-like detection of CEA. No shared biological or clinical direction unifies the cluster beyond cancer-related CEA use.
6 papers · 35.3%
CEA is not only a measurable tumor marker but an actionable antigen for cancer immunotherapy
The Salmonella Typhimurium tumor-targeting model engineered to deliver apoptin and CEA, and the colorectal-cancer model combining L19-TNF with a CEAxCD3 bispecific T-cell engager, treated CEA as an active therapeutic handle rather than merely a serum or tissue biomarker. In the Salmonella study, CEA was incorporated to promote anticancer immunity alongside apoptosis induction; in the colorectal-cancer study, CEA-directed T-cell engagement, especially with TNF-mediated remodeling of the tumor microenvironment, enhanced tumor killing and produced complete regression in most animals. Together, these distinct therapeutic systems replace the marker-only assumption with the conclusion that CEA can be used to direct or amplify immune-mediated tumor destruction 42561600Aug 42012522Apr.
Papers
The 17 papers from the last 6 months that study Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) directly, newest first, by theme and by study type. Study types come from PubMed publication types and MeSH headings.
By theme
Photoelectrochemical CEA Sensing (6)
- In Situ Engineering of S-Scheme Bi2O3/Zn3In2S6 Heterojunctions on Paper-Based Architectures for Dual-Mode Photoelectrochemical-Electrochemical Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen. Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids · 18 Aug 2026 PMID 42611276
- Leuckart Reaction-Assisted Amine-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide as an Electrochemical Immunosensing Platform for Cancer Biomarker Detection. ACS applied bio materials · 2 Jul 2026 PMID 42387371
- A sensitive and cost-effective "turn-on" aptasensor for carcinoembryonic antigen using Ce-UiO-66 as an ultraefficient nanoquencher. Mikrochimica acta · 15 May 2026 PMID 42141320
- Ultrasensitive split-type photoelectrochemical immunoassay with interfacial hole-dynamic regulation via nitrogen-doped carbon hole transport layer in α-Fe2O3/CN/NiFe-LDH ternary photoanode. Biosensors & bioelectronics · 24 Apr 2026 PMID 42030775
- Interparticle Charge Transport in CuInS2 Quantum Dot Aerogels Enables Label-Free Electrochemiluminescence Immunosensing. Analytical chemistry · 24 Apr 2026 PMID 42027093
- Target-Induced Tandem Built-In Electric Fields in the Hollow SnS2/ZIS@ZnS Heterojunction for the Photoelectrochemical Immunoassay. Analytical chemistry · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42018287
Portable CEA Assays (5)
- Development of a graphene oxide-based PEGylated fluorescent aptasensor with ultrahigh-sensitivity and anti-fouling properties for the detection of serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Mikrochimica acta · 21 Sept 2026 PMID 42766210
- A signal-on fluorescent probe integrating Au@Ag NPs-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer quenching and enzyme-free catalytic hairpin assembly for c arcinoembryonic antigen detection. Mikrochimica acta · 21 Aug 2026 PMID 42627410
- Peroxidase-like CuFeS2 nanoclusters coupled with glucose oxidase signal amplification for colorimetric immunodetection of carcinoembryonic antigen. Mikrochimica acta · 11 Aug 2026 PMID 42579023
- Strain-induced PtCu nanozymes for paper-based portable colorimetric immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen with smartphone readout. Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications · 16 Jun 2026 PMID 42300353
- Coordination/Assembly Twin-Boosted Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Assay: Metal-Organic Framework-Mediated Visual Signal Programming for On-Site Ultrasensitive Diagnostics. Analytical chemistry · 15 Jun 2026 PMID 42289865
Others — CEA Cancer Applications (6)
- Therapeutic Salmonella expressing apoptin and CEA elicits combined pro-apoptotic and immune-mediated anticancer effects. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 6 Aug 2026 PMID 42561600
- A Preoperative Symptom-tumor-nutrition Score Predicting Survival After Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer. Anticancer research · 29 Jul 2026 PMID 42527097
- Designing Single- and Dual-Band EIT-Like Meta-Biosensors with T-Shaped Resonators for Specific Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigens in the Terahertz Band. Analytical chemistry · 19 May 2026 PMID 42154628
- Clinical utility of tumour markers in skeletal metastasis of unknown primary at the initial visit. Japanese journal of clinical oncology · 12 May 2026 PMID 42116797
- Clinical validation and implementation of mSTOP, a machine learning-based, longitudinal prediction model for the early identification of non-small cell lung cancer patients who not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine · 29 Apr 2026 PMID 42054314
- Targeted TNF Potentiates the Activity of Bispecific T-cell Engagers in Solid Tumors by Turning Cold Tumors Hot. Cancer immunology research · 21 Apr 2026 PMID 42012522
By study type
Observational studies and case reports (3)
- A Preoperative Symptom-tumor-nutrition Score Predicting Survival After Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer. Anticancer research · 29 Jul 2026 PMID 42527097
- Clinical utility of tumour markers in skeletal metastasis of unknown primary at the initial visit. Japanese journal of clinical oncology · 12 May 2026 PMID 42116797
- Clinical validation and implementation of mSTOP, a machine learning-based, longitudinal prediction model for the early identification of non-small cell lung cancer patients who not benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. Clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine · 29 Apr 2026 PMID 42054314
Human data, design not indexed (11)
- Development of a graphene oxide-based PEGylated fluorescent aptasensor with ultrahigh-sensitivity and anti-fouling properties for the detection of serum carcinoembryonic antigen levels. Mikrochimica acta · 21 Sept 2026 PMID 42766210
- A signal-on fluorescent probe integrating Au@Ag NPs-based fluorescence resonance energy transfer quenching and enzyme-free catalytic hairpin assembly for c arcinoembryonic antigen detection. Mikrochimica acta · 21 Aug 2026 PMID 42627410
- Peroxidase-like CuFeS2 nanoclusters coupled with glucose oxidase signal amplification for colorimetric immunodetection of carcinoembryonic antigen. Mikrochimica acta · 11 Aug 2026 PMID 42579023
- Leuckart Reaction-Assisted Amine-Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide as an Electrochemical Immunosensing Platform for Cancer Biomarker Detection. ACS applied bio materials · 2 Jul 2026 PMID 42387371
- Strain-induced PtCu nanozymes for paper-based portable colorimetric immunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen with smartphone readout. Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications · 16 Jun 2026 PMID 42300353
- Coordination/Assembly Twin-Boosted Lateral Flow Immunochromatographic Assay: Metal-Organic Framework-Mediated Visual Signal Programming for On-Site Ultrasensitive Diagnostics. Analytical chemistry · 15 Jun 2026 PMID 42289865
- Designing Single- and Dual-Band EIT-Like Meta-Biosensors with T-Shaped Resonators for Specific Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigens in the Terahertz Band. Analytical chemistry · 19 May 2026 PMID 42154628
- A sensitive and cost-effective "turn-on" aptasensor for carcinoembryonic antigen using Ce-UiO-66 as an ultraefficient nanoquencher. Mikrochimica acta · 15 May 2026 PMID 42141320
- Ultrasensitive split-type photoelectrochemical immunoassay with interfacial hole-dynamic regulation via nitrogen-doped carbon hole transport layer in α-Fe2O3/CN/NiFe-LDH ternary photoanode. Biosensors & bioelectronics · 24 Apr 2026 PMID 42030775
- Interparticle Charge Transport in CuInS2 Quantum Dot Aerogels Enables Label-Free Electrochemiluminescence Immunosensing. Analytical chemistry · 24 Apr 2026 PMID 42027093
- Target-Induced Tandem Built-In Electric Fields in the Hollow SnS2/ZIS@ZnS Heterojunction for the Photoelectrochemical Immunoassay. Analytical chemistry · 22 Apr 2026 PMID 42018287
Preclinical: animal, cell and lab studies (3)
- In Situ Engineering of S-Scheme Bi2O3/Zn3In2S6 Heterojunctions on Paper-Based Architectures for Dual-Mode Photoelectrochemical-Electrochemical Detection of Carcinoembryonic Antigen. Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids · 18 Aug 2026 PMID 42611276
- Therapeutic Salmonella expressing apoptin and CEA elicits combined pro-apoptotic and immune-mediated anticancer effects. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie · 6 Aug 2026 PMID 42561600
- Targeted TNF Potentiates the Activity of Bispecific T-cell Engagers in Solid Tumors by Turning Cold Tumors Hot. Cancer immunology research · 21 Apr 2026 PMID 42012522
Written from 17 PubMed abstracts, each one listed by PMID above. Published: 2026-06-15. Last written: 2026-09-23 by GPT. Drafted by language models from published abstracts; not medical advice.