Use of a murine monoclonal antibody for detection of circulating plasma DF3 antigen levels in breast cancer patients.

Abstract

The murine monoclonal antibody (MAb), designated DF3, reacts with a 300,000-mol wt mammary epithelial antigen. A sequential double-determinant radioimmunoassay (RIA) has been developed to monitor circulating DF3 antigen. Using this assay, we have demonstrated that 33 of 36 normal women had plasma RIA antigen levels < 150 U/mi. In contrast, 33 of 43 patients (76%) with metastatic breast cancer had RIA DF3 antigen levels _ 150 U/ml. The difference between these two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Similar results have been obtained with a double-determinant enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA). Only 6 of 111 age-matched normal subjects had EIA DF3 antigens levels _ 30 U/ml, while 42 of 58 patients (72%) with breast cancer had levels equal to or above this value. Thus, similar patterns of specificity are obtained with the EIA or RIA. The elevation of circulating DF3 antigen levels in breast cancer patients has been confirmed by transfer blot assays. MAb DF3 reactivity occurred predominantly with circulating antigens of three different molecular weights ranging from 300,000 to -400,000 mol wt. We also demonstrate that patients with both primary and metastatic breast cancer who were free of detectable disease at the time of sampling have DF3 antigen levels that are similar to those obtained from normal subjects. While patients with hepatoma (27%) and ovarian carcinoma (47%) also had elevated circulating DF3 antigen levels, the results suggest that DF3 antigen levels may be useful in distinguishing breast cancer patients from those with esophageal, gastric, colorectal, pancreatic, and lung carcinomas. Furthermore, the results of the RIA, EIA, and transblot analyses demonstrate that the measurement of circulating DF3 antigen levels provides a new and potentially useful marker to follow the clinical course of patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Evaluation of MSA as a serum marker in breast cancer: A comparison with CEA

“…In particular, conditions affecting the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal system produced elevated levels, however, in general the levels were much lower than those found in active breast cancer. Similar results have been found with other breast cancer markers (Khoo & Mackay, 1973;Hayes et al, 1985). MSA levels were also raised in a substantial number of patients with non-breast tumours; this is not a surprising result given the tissue distribution of the monoclonal antibody 3E1.2 on secretory epithelium (Stacker et al, 1985a).…”

“…MSA levels were also raised in a substantial number of patients with non-breast tumours; this is not a surprising result given the tissue distribution of the monoclonal antibody 3E1.2 on secretory epithelium (Stacker et al, 1985a). Levels (Table I); this has also been reported for the marker DF3 (Hayes et al, 1985). Results of this study have also confirmed that MSA levels would be useful for monitoring the clinical course of breast cancer.…”

“…Other workers have produced monoclonal antibodies which define high molecular weight glycoproteins in the serum of patients with breast cancer (Hayes et al, 1985;Papasidero et al, 1984;Burchell et al, 1984; lacobelli et al, 1986). 3E1.2 can be distinguished from these monoclonal antibodies by its lack of reactivity with high molecular weight glycoproteins in human milk and milk fat globule membranes (Stacker et al, 1987).…”

A low pH enzyme linked immunoassay using two monoclonal antibodies for the serological detection and monitoring of breast cancer

“…That 46 Kd molecule is probably distinct from the antigens detected by HMFG1 and HMFG2. Other breast epithelial antigens defined by monoclonal antibodies such as antibody MF3 (Hayes et al, 1985), antibody F36/22 (Papsidero et al, 1984) and antibody 24-17.2 (Thomson et al, 1983) have been detected in increased amounts in the sera of patients with metastatic breast cancer. These assays developed using conventional sandwich techniques appear to be of promise in the monitoring of patients with metastatic disease.…”

Polymorphic epithelial mucin from the sera of advanced breast cancer patients – isolation and partial characterisation

“…Of clinical interest, it has been reported that PEMs are elevated in the circulation of advanced breast carcinoma patients (Burchell et al, 1984;Hayes et al, 1985;Hilkens et al, 1986;Price et al, 1987) and these findings have promoted investigation into its potential as a prognostic or diagnostic indicator. The present study describes the purification and partial characterisation of PEM isolated from advanced breast carcinoma patients' sera and its use in the production of a second-generation MAb, C568.…”