TRA-1-60: a new serum marker in patients with germ-cell tumors.
TRA-1-60 is a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that recognizes a mucin-like antigenic determinant expressed on the surface of embryonal carcinoma (EC) progenitor cells. In order to determine whether this antigen is released into the serum of patients with a non-seminomatous germ-cell tumor (NSGCT), we developed a sensitive 2-step immunoenzymometric assay. Of 42 EC-positive NSGCT patients tested, 32 (76%) were found to release TRA-1-60-reactive antigen into their serum, in contrast to 1 positive finding in 10 EC-negative NSGCT patients. The marker was found in 67% (10/15) of the EC-positive patients who were negative for both AFP and HCG. Sera from seminoma patients did not contain elevated levels of the TRA-1-60 antigen. Therefore, we propose that the TRA-1-60 antigen is a useful additional serum marker for following the progress of NSGCT(EC+) patients.
Marrink
J
J
Department of Immunochemistry, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
Andrews
P W
PW
van Brummen
P J
PJ
de Jong
H J
HJ
Sleijfer
D T
DT
Schraffordt Koops
H
H
Oosterhuis
J W
JW
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000276:immunology*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins