S. Sirisinha et al., IDENTIFICATION OF TUMOR-MARKERS FOR CHOLANGIOCARCINOMA AND EVALUATIONOF THEIR DIAGNOSTIC POTENTIAL, Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology, 12(1), 1994, pp. 73-81
Results obtained from studies using experimental animal model clearly
showed that (1) A marker(s) for CCA does exist; 2) This marker is a gl
ycoprotein with a molecular weight of 200 kDa; (3) It is produced and
secreted in vitro by tumor cell lines; (4) It is highly immunogenic in
mice and the MAb specific for this antigen is directed against the ca
rbohydrate moiety; (5) This tumor antigen can be detected in serum and
bile of tumor-bearing animals by a sandwich ELISA employing this MAb;
(6) Kinetic studies show a gradual elevation of this antigen during t
umor development; and (7) The elevation of this antigen can be detecte
d at a time when no pathological changes have yet taken place, as judg
ed by microscopic examination. Preliminary work from the human counter
part using human cholangiocarcinoma cell line showed promising results
. CCA-specific antigen could be similarly identified and the MAbs prod
uced were highly specific for this 160 kDa antigen.