INVESTIGATION OF B-PROTEIN AS A GENERAL BIOLOGICAL MARKER FOR THE DETECTION OF CANCER - A REVIEW

Because of the close correlation of B-Protein serum levels with the st ate of a malignancy, there is considerable interest in its investigati on. It was determined that B-Protein, as detected by the assay procedu re, is not specific for cancer although this protein was present in th e serum of 87% of 2,675 patients with the disease. Pregnancy and tissu e healing also causes an elevation in serum B-Protein levels. Cancer-i nduced B-Protein, pregnancy-induced B-Protein, and tissue healing-indu ced B-Protein have been purified and their characteristics have been c ompared. Although the B-Proteins produced were similar in molecular we ight, dimeric and monomeric properties, carbohydrate content, pI, elec trophoretic mobility, Sephacryl S-200 elution patterns, activity, and binding to WGL and Protein A, they differed in amino acid composition and binding to Affi-Gel Blue. Based on these studies it would appear t hat two different B-Proteins are produced by the body. One type is pro duced in response to aberrant cells dividing abnormally, indicative of cancer, and the other is produced in response to pregnancy and tissue healing, both of which are conditions where normal cells are dividing abnormally.