An immunoenzymometric assay for a CA125-like antigen, CA602

An immunoenzymometric assay (IEMA) for a new CA125-like antigen, CA602, was developed. Five monoclonal antibodies raised against a human ovarian carcinoma cell line could detect their respective antigens in the sera of ovarian carcinoma patients. The antigen levels detected in serum by the various antibodies correlated significantly to each other, and to CA125 levels. The results of epitope analyses and combined IEMAs suggested that the epitopes recognized by these antibodies are not same, but exist on the same antigen which bears the CA125 epitope. A sensitive IEMA was developed with 602-1 and 602-6 antibodies which showed high reactivity to the CA125-like antigen. The antigen defined by these two antibodies was designated as CA602, and serum CA602 levels correlated well with CA125 levels. The CA602 antigen is a CA125-like antigen. Furthermore, the serum CA602 levels did not correlate to CA54/61 levels. The combined assays of CA602 and CA54/61 may increase the detection of ovarian carcinoma.