EARLY DETECTION AND MONITORING OF CANCER WITH THE ANTI-MALIGNIN ANTIBODY-TEST

The serum anti-malignin antibody (AMA) test determines the antibody to malignin, a 10,000-Da peptide present in patients with a wide variety of cancers.(1-6) A total of 3315 double-blind tests demonstrated that AMA is a general transformation antibody, elevated in active nontermi nal cancer, regardless of the site or tissue type, with sensitivity an d specificity of 95% on the first determination and >99% on repeat det erminations.(7-9) Data have not however been published yet that indica te whether, in daily clinical practice, the AMA test provides accurate prospective and predictive information. Forty-two physicians from 11 states, who ordered the AMA test, performed blind, report here on thei r results on 208 determinations in the first consecutive 181 patients and controls. Used in monitoring treatment in 56 patients, the test pr edicted or agreed 94.1% overall with the clinical status. Used in earl y detection in 125 patients and controls, of which 118 now have confir med diagnoses, AMA was elevated in 21, all of whom were proven to have cancer; AMA was normal in 97, none of whom had cancer. Transient elev ated AMA occurred in 3%, followed by normal values. Seven patients wit h still uncertain diagnosis who have had elevated AMA on repeated test s for 1 year or longer include six who are symptomatic, and three whos e families have a high frequency of cancer. The conditions of these 7 may include undetected cancer because of the 118 with now certain diag nosis the AMA test predicted air correctly. From our experience, the A MA test should be used together with other routine procedures whenever signs and symptoms suggest cancer to facilitate early detection.