Pancreatic oncofetal antigen (POA) --its characterization and the result of enzyme immunoassay
Homma, T.
Gan to Kagaku Ryoho. Cancer and ChemoTherapy 10(2 Part 2): 617-622
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0385-0684 PMID: 6349543 Document Number: 197445
Our studies on the partial purification, characterization and clinical application of pancreatic oncofetal antigen (POA) are presented. This antigen was purified from fetal pancreas and migrated in beta-region electrophoretically. Its molecular weight was estimated approximately 80 X 10(4) daltons on gel filtration. POA prepared by us was different from either Nishida's POA biochemically or Shimano's PCAA immunologically. Enzyme immunoassay of POA was established by conjugating with anti-POA with-D-galactosidase. Among 60 patients with carcinoma of the pancreas, 44 (73.3%) had a elevated serum POA level. A serological screening of pancreatic cancer was performed among 440 out-patients with combined assay of tumor markers including POA. Five cases with carcinoma of the pancreas were found out by this screening test. These findings indicate that serum POA assay is clinically useful.