A new immunoassay using monoclonal antibodies HMFG1 and HMFG2 together with an existing marker CA125 for the serological detection and management of epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract

Summary A new method with a low pH step to dissociate serum complexes has been developed to measure serum levels of antigens associated with ovarian cancer. The antigens are detected by monoclonal antibodies HMFG1 and HMFG2 and have been compared to an existing ovarian cancer associated antigen detected by the antibody CA125. Elevated HMFG1 was found in 56%, and elevated HMFG2 in 65% of 924 sera from 85 patients with ovarian cancer. CA125 was elevated in 85% of these sera. When the three markers were used in conjunction, 95% of sera from patients with ovarian cancer were positive -compared with 7% in sera from healthy control subjects. Therefore, the combination of HMFG1, HMFG2 and CA125 increases the diagnostic accuracy. If all three markers are normal in a patient previously treated for ovarian cancer then no further positive information regarding disease status can be obtained by ultrasound and CT scanning.

Blood and Urine Markers for Ovarian Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

“…Table 2 highlights these combinations for easier comparison. Some of the better performing combinations of markers include CA 125 and HMFG1/G2 with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 93% [18] as well as CA 125 and CEA with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 93% [94]. CA 125 with TAG72 and CA15-3 increase the specificity to 95% but sacrifice sensitivity [7].…”

Ovarian Carcinomas Express a Sperm Acrosomal Antigen, Defined by Monoclonal Antibody 9H8

“…Carcinoembryonic antigen is a gly coprotein with a molecular weight of 180 kDa [19], However, a number of other markers that might be associated with ovarian carci noma have been described. These include DF-3 [20], CA 15-3 [21], TAG 72 [22], HMFG [23], NB/70K [24] and others. Unfor tunately, we have no information concerning their expression pattern in tissues and molec ular characteristics.…”