Serum tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA): Monoclonal or polyclonal radio-immunometric assay for the follow-up of bladder cancer

Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) is a serological tumor marker, measuring c ytokeratin 8, 18 and 19, used in the follow-up of non squamous epithelium- and derived neoplasms. It has been demonstrated that TPA is reliable in the monitoring of the efficacy of a curative or palliative treatment of bladde r cancer. Recently, a monoclonal antibody-based assay for TPA (TPA-M) has b een developed which seems to be equivalent to the polyclonal-based assay. T he aim of the study was to assess the superiority of the monoclonal to the polyclonal test in patients with bladder carcinoma. The value of tissue pol ypeptide antigen was therefore measured both with TPA and TPA-M IRMA. A cor relation coefficient of 0.96 was obtained. Precision testing showed a lower overall variability of TPA-M. Since both tests correlate well and TPA-M te sting is more precise, faster and easy to perform, we conclude a superiorit y of TPA-M and advise the monoclonal test as best suited for clinical use i n the follow-up of bladder cancer patients with poorly differentiated super ficial, locally advanced or systemic disease after curative or palliative t herapy.