RELATIONSHIP OF CARBOHYDRATE ANTIGEN 19-9 AND LEWIS ANTIGENS IN PANCREATIC-CANCER

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  • 15 October 1987
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 47  (20) , 5501-5503
Abstract
Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 identified by a murine monoclonal antibody against a colorectal carcinoma antigen is thought to be a sialylated Lewis (Le)a blood group antigen and occurs in high concentration in serum of patients with pancreatic carcinoma. This study was designed to identify the relationship between Lewis antigens and CA 19-9 in patients with pancreatic cancer. The following analyses were performed in 20 pancreatic cancer patients: Lea and Leb antigen phenotype in saliva (modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) or on red cells (hemagglutination); CA 19-9 levels (radioimmunoassay) in serum; and CA 19-9 and Lea and Leb expression (immunoperoxidase assay) on tumor tissue. Lea-b- patients based on salivary phenotype failed to express CA 19-9 in tumor tissue and had normal or low levels of CA 19-9 (37 units/ml). All Lea+b- and Lea-b+ patients expessed both Lea and Leb antigens in tumor tissue. These results support the view that Lea-b- pancreatic cancer patients cannot manufacture CA 19-9. Surprisingly, Lea-positive patients express Leb antigen in tumor tissue; in this subgroup, Leb antigen may be a tumor-specific biomarker.

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