title: Molecular profile, tissue distribution and prognostic evaluation of a human melanoma-carcinoma antigen recognized by the murine monoclonal antibody B1.1.
abstract: Using the murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) B1.1 we have analyzed the immunochemical profile and the tissue distribution of a human melanoma associated antigen (MAA) carrying an epitope shared by the 180 kd CEA. Results of this study have demonstrated that the epitope expressed by the MAA is carried by a distinct set of molecules of 110-140 kd. Similarly to the 180 kd CEA molecules synthesized by carcinomas, the expression of the melanoma associated CEA like components (MA-CEA) is upregulated by IFN-alpha. The tissue distribution of MA-CEA is not restricted to malignant primary and metastatic melanocytic lesions but is found also at low levels in 64% of benign nevi. No circulating CEA was found in patients bearing widespread metastatic disease of MA-CEA positive lesions. Preliminary clinical evaluation of stage I melanoma patients bearing MoAb B1.1 positive lesions has not shown a significative prognostic association of this phenotypic marker with clinical course of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Natali
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nicotra
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nuti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bigotti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calabrò
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schlom
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giacomini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D002460:Cell Line; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D007370:Interferon Type I; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins