Immunohistochemical expression of TAG-72 in normal and malignant endometrium: correlation of antigen expression with estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor levels.
TAG-72 is a tumor-associated antigen that is expressed by secretory endometrium and most endometrial adenocarcinomas. We used immunohistochemical techniques to quantitate expression of TAG-72, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor in 21 normal endometria and 44 endometrial adenocarcinomas. In normal cycling endometrial glands, TAG-72 expression was related inversely to expression of receptors for estrogen and progesterone. This suggests that TAG-72 expression in normal endometrium may be hormonally regulated. Ninety-one percent of endometrial adenocarcinomas expressed immunohistochemically detectable TAG-72. The magnitude of TAG-72 expression did not correlate with other known prognostic factors in endometrial cancer such as histologic grade, depth of myometrial invasion, surgical stage, or steroid receptor status. The production of TAG-72 by most endometrial adenocarcinomas may represent nonspecific expression by cells that have dedifferentiated.
Soisson
A P
AP
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University, Durham, NC.
Berchuck
A
A
Lessey
B A
BA
Soper
J T
JT
Clarke-Pearson
D L
DL
McCarty
K S
KS
Bast
R C
RC
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C047052:tumor-associated antigen 72