Soluble tumor-associated antigens in cancer detection, prevention and therapy

Soluble tumor-associated antigens (sTAA) with molecular mass of 66 and 51 kDa isolated from the serum of cancer patients was shown can be used for cancer detection, prevention and therapy.

Cancer progression is reflected in the relationship between p66 and p51 compared to healthy people or to patients with non-cancer diseases. The method was shown to be highly sensitive (92 to 96%) and moderate specific (42 to 65%) for the detection of different types of cancer, such as of the colon, uterus, ovary, and breast, as well as melanoma.

sTAA have both tumor-preventive and tumor-suppressive effects on chemically induced cancers of the colon, skin and mammary glands in rats and mice. sTAA promote suppression of rat mammary tumors by different anticancer drugs, such as cyclophosphamide, tamoxifen and 5-fluorouracil, and decrease the drug's toxic side-effects. This effect was shown to be connected with activation of the host's immune system, especially those which is responsible for activity of T and B lymphocytes.

We propose the follow-up after cancer patients in order to verify earlier as soon as possible recurrent cancer and perform preventive therapy of cancer suspect patients with their own sTAA as a kind of autoimmunotherapy. Moreover, in combination with anticancer drugs, sTAA may serve as a new tool in prevention of toxic side-effects of chemotherapy.