TA90-IC, a new marker for advanced colon cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Although carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is the most frequently used marker for colon cancer, it is elevated in only 70% of patients with advanced disease and in even fewer patients with earlier stages of disease. We previously identified a 90-kDa glycoprotein, TA90, which is present in serum in the form of circulating immune complexes. TA90 is found in a variety of solid neoplasms but rarely in healthy controls (3.2%). We hypothesized that this new tumor-associated antigen may be a useful marker for colon cancer.

METHODS:

Serum samples from 59 patients with known colon adenocarcinoma were analyzed for the presence of CEA and TA90. Fifty-one (86%) patients had distant metastases; the remaining patients had clinically localized primary colon cancer. A murine monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure concentrations of TA90-specific circulating immune complexes (TA90-IC). A positive value was defined as an optical density of more than 0.410 at 405 nm. Forty-seven (80%) of the 59 patients had serum samples for TA90 and CEA drawn at the same time.

RESULTS:

TA90-IC concentrations were elevated more frequently than CEA concentrations (82.9% vs. 70.2%; P = .134). The combination of both markers identified more patients with colon carcinoma than did either marker alone (93.6%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Concomitant use of TA90-IC and CEA identified 93.6% of patients with advanced colon cancer. The role of TA90-IC in screening and monitoring progression of earlier disease deserves further investigation.

• Authors: N Habal, R K Gupta, A J Bilchik, T Johnson, D L Morton
• Journal: Annals of surgical oncology (Ann Surg Oncol) Vol. 7 Issue 5 Pg. 352-6 (Jun 2000) ISSN: 1068-9265 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10864342 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen
• TA90 immune complex

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Animals
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antigens, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Carcinoembryonic Antigen (analysis)
• Colonic Neoplasms (classification, immunology)
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mice
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Sensitivity and Specificity