Tumor associated glycoprotein-72 is highly expressed in prostatic adenocarcinomas.
We examined the expression of two well-characterized oncofetal antigens, the tumor associated glycoprotein-72 (TAG-72) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), in malignant prostatic tissues. Three specific monoclonal antibodies, B72.3, CC49 and CC83, were used to examine the expression of TAG-72. Immunoreactivity was detected in 63% of the malignant specimens using B72.3. CC49 and CC83 were more sensitive than B72.3 in detecting TAG-72 expression. Immunoreactivity was detected in approximately 80% of prostatic adenocarcinomas with CC49 or CC83. The pattern and localization of TAG-72 immunoreactivity were similar for the three antibodies with most immunoreactivity observed within the cytoplasm of malignant cells and within the lumens of malignant glands. TAG-72 immunoreactivity was not detected within benign epithelium or stroma, with the exception of focal epithelial expression in areas of acute prostatitis. The COL-1 antibody to CEA did not detect CEA in benign glands, stroma, or malignant cells of prostate specimens resected for prostatic adenocarcinoma. These results demonstrate that TAG-72, but not CEA, is frequently expressed in prostatic adenocarcinomas.
Myers
R B
RB
Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-7331.
Meredith
R F
RF
Schlom
J
J
LoBuglio
A F
AF
Bueschen
A J
AJ
Wheeler
R H
RH
Stockard
C R
CR
Grizzle
W E
WE
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000737:chemistry; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D006023:Glycoproteins; C047052:tumor-associated antigen 72