Antigenic properties of human tumours. "Tumour-specific" antigens

[Carcinofetal antigens. III. Further carcinofetal antigens (author's transl)]

The occurrance and significance of important carcinofetal antigens other than AFP and CEA are reported. These included the alpha 2 H-protein which is produced in the liver and increases in serum of patients with various tumors, the fetal sulphoglycoprotein antigen FSA from the gastric juice of patients with gastric cancer, the carcinoplacental alkaline phosphatase (REGAN-isoenzyme)which is found in the serum of patients suffering from e.g. bronchogenic, mammary, urogenital and gastrointestinal carcinomas, the beta-S-fetoprotein which is most likely to be identical with C-reactive protein, gamma-fetoprotein, the carcinofetal antigen in glial tumors (CFGA); ectopic production of placental hormones like human gonadotropin, placental lactogen, plasminogen-activators; leukemia-associated antigens. Furthermore, some other less known carcinofetal antigens are mentioned.

Role of plasma carcinoembryonic antigen in diagnosis of gastrointestinal, mammary, and bronchial carcinoma

Our studies have confirmed that raised plasma levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (C.E.A.) occur with many but not all malignant tumours, particularly those of the gastrointestinal tract, breast, and bronchus. However, the incidence of raised values may reach 30% in diseases associated with inflammation or regeneration or both. Consequently, it cannot serve yet as a routine screening test for cancer. Effective surgical therapy results in high plasma C.E.A. levels returning to normal. Subsequent rises appear to develop with tumour recurrence or spread. At present the most useful role for C.E.A. seems to be in monitoring patients during the post-therapeutic followup period. Further basic work is required before C.E.A. can become of routine medical value.

Depressed lymphocyte function in carcinoma of the breast

The reduced ability of lymphocytes from patients with carcinoma of the breast to transform in response to phytohaemagglution (PHA) is shown. The greatest depression of response was found in advanced or recurrent disease and is due, at least in part, to an abnormality in the patient's serum. Those patients who were clinically free from recurrence had no depression of response.

It is postulated that the reduced immunological reactivity in these patients is a secondary rather than a primary event and is possibly related to the extent and aggression of the disease. The practical usefulness of the test as an index of prognosis is being evaluated together with more conventional data.