EXPRESSION OF CA19-9, SLX, STN AND CEA IN RELATIVELY EARLY GASTRIC-CARCINOMA

Expression and presence of the carbohydrate antigens CA19-9, SLX and S TN, and CEA in tissues and serum were examined in 132 patients with ea rly or propria muscle invaded gastric cancer. The seropositive rate wa s not different in patients with cancer or gastritis. In tumor tissue, the positive rate for these antigens was 28.8% in CA19-9, 9.1% in SLX , 47.0% in STN and 72.9% in CEA. Results showed that gastric cancers, even at an early stage, produce abnormal carbohydrate antigens not det ected in normal tissues. However, transfer of antigens into the circul ation was not observed in patients with early gastric cancer, suggesti ng the possibility that number of carcinoma cells may be involved in t he transfer of antigens into blood.