title: Elevated soluble Fas (sFas) levels in nonhematopoietic human malignancy.
abstract: Fas is a widely expressed membrane-anchored protein that induces apoptosis. Soluble Fas (sFas), generated by alternative mRNA splicing, can antagonize cell-surface Fas function. We have investigated sFas in 104 cancer patients with nonhematopoietic malignancies using a Fas-specific ELISA and immunoprecipitation. Our studies demonstrate an elevated 40-42-kDa sFas species in both patient serum and tumor explants. These observations provide the first evidence that sFas is increased in patients with solid tumors in a manner reflective of disease stage and tumor burden and argue that sFas can be synthesized and released both systemically and locally within the tumor microenvironment.
authors: Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030-4095, USA.
authors: G P
authors: GP
authors: Midis
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Shen
authors: L B
authors: LB
authors: Owen-Schaub
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000378:metabolism*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D012995:Solubility; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019014:fas Receptor