Lipid-Associated Sialic Acid (LASA)

Test ID:

703025

CPT code:

84275

Synonyms:

LASA
Lipid-bound Sialic Acid

Clinical Use:

LASA is a useful adjunct in the management of a variety of malignancies. It is generally used in conjunction with other tumor markers.

Test Information:

Elevations in blood LASA levels have been reported in patients with mammary (63%), gastroenteric (65%), pulmonary (79%), and ovarian (94%) neoplasms as well as those with leukemia (86%), lymphoma (87%), melanoma (84%), sarcoma (97%), and Hodgkin disease (91%). LASA levels can also be elevated in patients with certain benign diseases, including inflammatory disorders. Thus, like carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), the assay for LASA does not have the specificity or sensitivity necessary for cancer detection. However, recent studies have suggested that LASA levels may be useful in monitoring the course of therapy and detecting disease recurrence in certain cancer patients. In patients with mammary, ovarian, or colorectal neoplasms, a correlation has been found between LASA concentrations and therapeutic responses. Measurement of pre- and post-treatment LASA levels is advocated for determining a baseline for therapeutic monitoring. The combination of LASA and CEA measurements in patients with mammary, colorectal, or pulmonary cancer, and LASA and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) measurements in those with ovarian cancer may improve the accuracy of assessing therapeutic responses. Preliminary studies have demonstrated that LASA concentrations are indicative of disease status in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, or cancer of the breast, ovary, or colorectum.