Tumor markers identified by line immunoelectrophoresis

Line immunoelectrophoresis was used as a screening procedure for the recognition of tumor markers using the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 as a model system. The polyspecific antiserum used was raised by immunization with tumor cells grown in RPMI medium enriched with serum from the species used for immunization in order to avoid interference from serum proteins in the immune response. Among the HL-60 antigens recognized, 4 were tumor-associated in as much as they were present only or in relatively high concentrations in the HL-60 cells. One of the antigens was identified as ferritin. Evidence is presented that the remaining potential HL-60 tumor markers are unrelated to known oncofetal antigens. It is suggested that for the recognition of tumor associated antigens the present approach may be useful as a supplement to hybridoma techniques.