Detection of Tumor-Associated Antigens in Plasma or Serum

Abstract

Publisher Summary The introduction of the radioimmunoassay has made possible the quantitation of tumor-associated antigens in serum and plasma. In recent years, the analysis of fetal enzymes and antigens in body fluids has been utilized in an effort to detect tumors and to better understand the relationship of fetal macromolecules to the malignant process. α-Fetoprotein (α-FP) is used in the evaluation of liver tumors and then embryonic tumors. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an indicator of colon cancer and a nonspecific cancer marker. This chapter discusses the serum determinations of fetal antigens and discusses the significance of their measurements in the diagnosis of cancer and the evaluation of therapy. α-FP has been observed in the serum of patients with embryonal malignant teratoblastomas of the testes or ovary, and α-FP assays have become useful in following the progression of these diseases. In addition to the evaluation of patients with cancer, the measurement of α-FP in maternal serum has been proposed as a marker for the detection of fetal distress and intrauterine death.