"Humors from Tumors": Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Alpha-Fetoprotein, and Digestive System Cancer

Editorials1 March 1972"Humors from Tumors": Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Alpha-Fetoprotein, and Digestive System CancerSUMNER C. KRAFT, M.D., F.A.C.P.SUMNER C. KRAFT, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-76-3-502 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptThere is a growing list of tumor-associated fetal substances that show diagnostic promise and may in time have immunotherapeutic and prophylactic value (1, 2). Malignancies of the digestive system have received special attention in this regard, especially since 1965, when Gold and Freedman (3) identified a tumor-specific glycoprotein antigen in human colonic carcinomas. This so-called carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is also present in other adenocarcinomas of entodermally derived digestive system epithelium, as well as in human fetal and embryonic gut, pancreas, and liver during the first two trimesters of pregnancy (4). The antigen is a predominantly carbohydrate material with a molecular...References1. GOLD P: Antigenic reversion in human cancer. Ann Rev Med 22:85-94, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. STILLMANZAMCHECK AN: Recent advances in immunologic diagnosis of digestive tract cancer. Am J Dig Dis 15:1003-1018, 1970 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. GOLDFREEDMAN PS: Demonstration of tumor-specific antigens in human colonic carcinomata by immunological tolerance and absorption techniques. J Exp Med 121:439-462, 1965 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. GOLDFREEDMAN PS: Specific carcinoembryonic antigens of the human digestive system. J Exp Med 122:467-481, 1965 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. KRUPEYGOLDFREEDMAN JPS: Physicochemical studies of the carcinoembryonic antigens of the human digestive system. J Exp Med 128:387-398, 1968 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. GOLDKRUPEYANSARI PJH: Position of the carcinoembryonic antigen of the human digestive system in ultrastructure of tumor cell surface. J Natl Cancer Inst 45:219-225, 1970 MedlineGoogle Scholar7. THOMSONKRUPEYFREEDMAN DJS: The radioimmunoassay of circulating carcinoembryonic antigen of the human digestive system. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 64:161-167, 1969 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. THOMSON D: Diagnosis of human digestive system cancer by radioimmunoassay of carcinoembryonic antigen. Ann R Coll Phys Surg Can 4:181-190, 1971 Google Scholar9. MOOREKUPCHIKMARCON THN: Carcinoembryonic antigen assay in cancer of the colon and pancreas and other digestive tract disorders. Am J Dig Dis 16:1-7, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. LO GERFOKRUPEYHANSEN PJH: Demonstration of an antigen common to several varieties of neoplasia. Assay using zirconyl phosphate gel. N Engl J Med 285:138-141, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. GOLD P: The role of immunology in human cancer research. Can Med Assoc J 103:1043-1051, 1970 MedlineGoogle Scholar12. BURTINVON KLEIST PS: Immunochemical studies on human colonic tumors, in Carcinoma of the Colon and Antecedent Epithelium, edited by BURDETTE WJ. Springfield, Ill., Charles C Thomas, Publisher, 1970, p. 150 Google Scholar13. MARTINMARTIN FM: Demonstration of antigens related to colonic cancer in the human digestive system. Int J Cancer 6:352-360, 1970 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar14. ANDERSONCOGGIN NJ (editors): Proceedings of the First Conference and Workshop on Embryonic and Fetal Antigens in Cancer, May 24-26, 1971. Molecular Anatomy Program, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Oak Ridge, Tenn., 1971, pp. 1-400 Google Scholar15. RUOSLAHTISEPPÄLÄ EM: Studies of carcino-fetal proteins: physical and chemical properties of human α-fetoprotein. Int J Cancer 7:218-225, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar16. PURVESBERSOHNGEDDES LIE: Serum alpha-fetoprotein and primary cancer of the liver in man. Cancer 25:1261-1270, 1970 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar17. ALPERTURIELDE NECHAUD MJB: Alpha1 fetoglobulin in the diagnosis of human hepatoma. N Engl J Med 278:984-986, 1968 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar18. O'CONORTATARINOVABELEV GYG: A collaborative study for the evaluation of a serologic test for primary liver cancer. Cancer 25:1091-1098, 1970 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar19. ALPERTPINNISSELBACHER EVK: Alpha-fetoprotein in a patient with gastric carcinoma metastatic to the liver. N Engl J Med 285:1058-1059, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar20. ALPERTHERSHBERGSCHUR ERP: α-Fetoprotein in human hepatoma: improved detection in serum, and quantitative studies using a new sensitive technique. Gastroenterology 61:137-143, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar21. HULLSMITHMOERTEL ECC: Experimental studies of α-fetoprotein in man and monkey in Carcinoma of the Colon and Antecedent Epithelium, edited by BURDETTE WJ. Springfield, Ill., Charles C Thomas, Publisher, 1970, p. 158 Google Scholar22. COLLINSBLACK JP: Specificity of the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). N Engl J Med 285:175-177, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar23. SUTNICKLONDONBLUMBERG AWB: Australia antigen: a genetic basis for chronic liver disease and hepatoma? Ann Intern Med 74:442-444, 1971 LinkGoogle Scholar24. ALPERTSTARZLSCHUR ETP: Serum α-fetoprotein in hepatoma patients after liver transplantation. Gastroenterology 61:144-148, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar25. WALDMANMACHROWE RJD: Secretory IgA (SIgA) levels in human serum (abstract). Clin Res 18:617, 1970 Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. 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WHITE, M.D. 1 March 1972Volume 76, Issue 3Page: 502-504KeywordsAntigensCancer immunotherapyCarbohydratesCarcinoembryonic antigenDigestive systemEpitheliumGlycoproteinsLiverPancreasPregnancy Issue Published: 1 March 1972 PDF DownloadLoading ...