Carcino-fetal proteins and gastric cancer: the site of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in gastric cancer.
Although several investigators have reported serum alpha-fetoprotein positive gastric cancer with or without metastasis to the liver, its site of production is still unclear. We studied on the site of alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in our cases which showed remarkably high level of serum alpha-fetoprotein, and clarified the presence of alpha-fetoprotein producing gastric cancer by means of direct immunofluorescent technique. However, we also knew the hepatocytes adjacent ot the metastatic lesions could also synthesize alpha-fetoprotein, although these hepatocytes were not known whether under regeneration or degeneration. Through this study, the other carcinofetal proteins such as carcino-placental alkaline phosphatase and CEA were examined using the sera or tumor tissues. Our results will support the idea that cancer is the disease of cell differentiation.
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase