Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen presents as a prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma: A clinicopathologic study of 264 patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Up to now, the expression of the tumor-associated Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen in colorectal carcinoma has not been thoroughly investigated with particular emphasis on its correlation with established clinicopathologic characteristics and classifications as well as its prognostic relevance.

METHODS:

Formalin fixed, paraffin embedded specimens from 264 patients with colorectal carcinoma were stained using an avidin-biotin complex-peroxidase assay. As primary monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), A78-G/A7, which binds to TFalpha and TFbeta antigen irrespective of its carrier, and BW835, which detects TFalpha on MUC1 repeat peptide, were applied.

RESULTS:

MAbs A78-G/A7 and BW835 labeled 64.8% and 58. 0%, respectively, of carcinomas. None of the binding patterns correlated with gender, tumor localization, or growth type. Only BW835 reactivity exhibited a significant correlation with increasing pTNM staging and histologic grading. Staining of the MAb A78-G/A7 was significantly stronger in carcinomas that contained a mucinous component. In univariate survival analysis, in addition to pTNM staging and histologic grading, reactivity with A78-G/A7 as well as BW835 were significantly correlated with lower survival probability. Multivariate analysis according to the Cox proportional hazards model revealed only pTNM staging, histologic grading, and A78-G/A7 staining to be independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS:

According to these results, TF disaccharide represents a cancer-associated antigen in colorectal carcinoma that exhibits qualities of a prognostic marker. As demonstrated by BW835 staining, it is obviously coexpressed with MUC1 peptide core in a great number of cases. These results suggest that TF, in addition to MUC1, might also serve as a useful target antigen in the treatment of patients with colorectal carcinoma.

• Authors: S E Baldus, T K Zirbes, F G Hanisch, D Kunze, S T Shafizadeh, S Nolden, S P Mönig, P M Schneider, U Karsten, J Thiele, A H Hölscher, H P Dienes
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 88 Issue 7 Pg. 1536-43 (Apr 01 2000) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10738210 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 American Cancer Society.

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Antigens, Neoplasm
• Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (diagnosis, immunology, mortality)
• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antibodies, Monoclonal (immunology)
• Antigens, Neoplasm (immunology)
• Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate (immunology)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (immunology)
• Carcinoma (diagnosis, immunology, mortality)
• Colorectal Neoplasms (diagnosis, immunology, mortality)
• Disease Progression
• Disease-Free Survival
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Time Factors