[Antigenic reversion in tumors of the thyroid]

The levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), embryonic prealbumin 1 and 2 (EPA-1 and EPA-2), thermostable alkaline phosphatase of placental type (TSAP), alpha-fetoproteins (AFP), trophoblastic beta-globulin (TBG), chorionic globulins 1 and 2 (CAG-1 and CAG-2) were determined in 36 fetal, 78 definitive, 31 hyperplastic, 38 adenomatous and 49 malignant tissues of the thyroid (control: 100 donor blood sera) using the immunodiffusion method after O. Ouchterlony modified by N. I. Khramkova and G. I. Abelev and the method of counter immunoelectrophoresis after K. Wilms. Oncofetal antigens TSAP, EPA-1, EPA-2 and CEA characteristic for antigenic reversion of thyroid tumors were identified in thyroid tissues. Antigenic reversion was most noticeable in tissues of papillary thyroid cancer. CEA and EPA-1 identification in the patients' blood sera could be applied to serological diagnosis of thyroid cancer.