Heterogeneity of antigen expression in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer

Article Abstract:

New cancer technology has identified ovarian tumor-associated antigens on cell surfaces of cancer cells. When mouse cells are exposed to these antigens in the laboratory, they produce antigen-fighting antibodies. These monoclonal (identical) antibodies can then be reintroduced into the body to bind to ovarian cancer cells. Monoclonal antibodies that have been developed as tumor-cell markers include CA 125, TAG 72, DF3, and CA 19-9. CA 125 is particularly useful in identifying patients with ovarian cancer, which has a tendency to spread rapidly to other abdominal structures before it is detected. Monoclonal antibodies labeled with radioactive materials can be used to identify tumors during radionucleotide imaging. Attached to cancer-fighting toxins (immunoconjugates), monoclonal antibodies can deliver chemotherapy directly to tumor cells. For monoclonal antibodies to be effective, they must be able to bind to all cancer cells but not to any normal cells. Since a given tumor may contain more than one cell type, some cell types may be missed by the markers entirely. Six tumor-associated antigens were evaluated in the primary tumor and metastatic cancer cells from 20 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. The expression of six antigens was consistent in both the primary tumor and the metastatic cells. The stability of CA 125 as either positive or negative was studied by reculturing the cells and exposing the antigens to the antibodies again. Of the cells that were originally positive, 38 percent remained positive. Of the cells that were originally negative, 27 percent became positive during reculturing. It is concluded that the expression of CA 125 does not remain stable when cells are recultured. Therefore, cancer cells may fail to keep CA 125 expression. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Evaluation, Diagnosis, Ovarian cancer, Monoclonal antibodies, Antigenic determinants

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Epidermal growth factor receptor expression in normal and malignant endometrium

Article Abstract:

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a protein which has a particular affinity for specific receptors on the surfaces of cells. Once EGF binds on the surfaces of these cells, the number of available receptors decreases. It is speculated that EGF binding controls the growth of many cell types. The lining of the uterus, the endometrium, changes throughout the menstrual cycle. During the proliferative phase, the endometrium is stimulated to grow fast by estrogen, a hormone produced in the ovaries. Estrogen may act to increase the production and binding of EGF to endometrial cells. Cell changes, indicative of cancer, may be associated with an increased amount of EGF receptors. In breast cancer, the more EGF receptors, the poorer the prognosis. The relationship between EGF receptor status and the endometrium of the uterus during the menstrual cycle was studied in 40 cancerous uteri and 20 uteri from 20 women who underwent hysterectomy for benign (noncancerous) diseases. EGF receptors were found in 13 out of 40 endometrial cancer patients (32.5 percent) and 19 out of 20 normal uteri. The number of EGF receptors did not correlate with factors already known to predict disease prognosis. The factors which regulate EGF expression need to be further investigated. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Growth factor receptors, Uterine diseases

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Immunohistochemical expression of TAG-72 in normal and malignant endometrium: correlation of antigen expression with estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor levels

Article Abstract:

TAG-72 is an antigen associated with 75 percent of adenocarcinoma, a type of cancer found in the ovaries, colon, breast and endometrium, the lining of the uterus. A tumor marker is a way to identify the presence of cancer cells. The use of TAG-72 as a tumor marker has been suggested. However, TAG-72 is also found in normal endometrial tissue and is secreted by glandular tissue during the early part of the menstrual cycle. This suggests that TAG-72 may be regulated by hormones. Progesterone and estrogen receptors, areas on the surfaces of cells which have a particular affinity for the two hormones, are found on the surfaces of endometrial cells. The presence of hormone receptors is a predictor of increased cancer survival. The relationship between TAG-72, hormone receptors and other prognostic predictors were studied in 21 normal and 44 cancerous endometriums in ovulating women. As progesterone and estrogen receptors decrease, TAG-72 increases. TAG-72 was detected in 91 percent of the women with endometrial cancer. The amount of TAG-72 was not dependent on other prognostic factors such as tumor grade, cancer stage, depth of cancer invasion. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Prognosis

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