Serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA): monoclonal or polyclonal radio-immunometric assay for the follow-up of bladder cancer.
Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) is a serological tumor marker, measuring cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19, used in the follow-up of non squamous epithelium- and derived neoplasms. It has been demonstrated that TPA is reliable in the monitoring of the efficacy of a curative or palliative treatment of bladder cancer. Recently, a monoclonal antibody-based assay for TPA (TPA-M) has been developed, which seems to be equivalent to the polyclonal-based assay. The aim of the study was to assess the superiority of the monoclonal to the polyclonal test in patients with bladder carcinoma. The value of tissue polypeptide antigen was therefore measured both with TPA and TPA-M IRMA. A correlation coefficient of 0.96 was obtained. Precision testing showed a lower overall variability of TPA-M. Since both tests correlate well and TPA-M testing is more precise, faster and easy to perform, we conclude a superiority of TPA-M and advise the monoclonal test as best suited for clinical use in the follow-up of bladder cancer patients with poorly differentiated superficial, locally advanced or systemic disease after curative or palliative therapy.
Bennink
R
R
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, KU Leuven, Belgium.
Van Poppel
H
H
Billen
J
J
Decoster
M
M
Baert
L
L
Mortelmans
L
L
Blanckaert
N
N
D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015592:Immunoradiometric Assay / Q000379:methods; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy
D000906:Antibodies; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019396:Tissue Polypeptide Antigen; D007633:Keratins