O verview of Oncofetal Antigens in Cancer

Oncofetal antigens are substances which are produced by tum ors and also by fetal tissues bu t they are produced in much lower concentration by adult tissues. The oncofetal antigens which have been identified are reviewed. The relevance of alpha- 1- fetoprotein (AFP) and carcinoem-bryonic antigen (CEA) in neoplastic disease are summarized. E levated serum concentrations of AFP have been principally associated with pri m ary liver cell cancer (82 percent) and with ovarian and testicular tum ors which contain yolk sac tum or cell elem ents. Quantitation of the serum concentration of CEA can be used as an adjunct for the diagnosis and staging of colon cancer patients and for the post operative follow up of patients for tum or recurrence. The possible role that mouse monoclonal antibodies will play in the characterization of oncofetal antigens is re viewed. Some of the difficulties which may arise when mouse monoclonal antibodies are used to define clinically relevant oncofetal antigens ar