Tissue polypeptide-specific antigen in pediatric patients: assessment of normal values
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Updated: Sep 22, 2026
Extraction of Tissue Antigens for Functional Assays
Published on: September 10, 2012
W Rebhandl1, F X Felberbauer, K Paya
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria. Winfried.Rebhandl@akh-wien.ac.at
Insights
This study establishes normal serum tissue polypeptide-specific Antigen (TPS) levels in children. These age-dependent values are crucial for accurately interpreting TPS as a tumor marker in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Tumor Marker Research
Background:
- Tissue polypeptide-specific Antigen (TPS) is a validated tumor marker for adult epithelial cancers.
- Limited data exists on normal and pathological TPS values in pediatric populations.
- Establishing reference ranges is essential for clinical utility in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normal serum concentrations of TPS in healthy children across various age groups.
- To provide age-specific reference values for TPS in pediatric patients.
- To inform the clinical application of TPS as a tumor marker in childhood.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 361 healthy children.
- Tissue polypeptide-specific Antigen (TPS) levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.
- Age-dependent median TPS values were calculated, including newborns, infants, and adolescents.
Main Results:
- Median TPS at birth was 107 U/l, rising to 150 U/l by the first week.
- TPS levels decreased with age, reaching adult levels (34 U/l) by 8-18 years.
- Maternal serum TPS post-delivery showed no correlation with cord blood levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum TPS exhibits a distinct age-dependent distribution in healthy children.
- These established normal values are critical for the accurate clinical interpretation of TPS in pediatric oncology.
- The findings necessitate consideration of age-specific reference ranges when using TPS as a tumor marker in children.
Abstract:
Measurement of serum concentrations of tissue polypeptide-specific Antigen (TPS) has been demonstrated to the useful in diagnosis and monitoring of adult epithelial tumors. So far, no data have been available on normal or pathologic TPS values in children. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the normal values of TPS in childhood. Using a commercial enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, serum TPS was determined in 361 healthy children. Median (M) TPS was found to be 107 U/l at birth (n = 124). By the end of the first week, the value rose to M = 150 U/l (n = 68) and then continuously decreased with age (1 week-1 year, n = 45, M = 88 U/l; 1-7 years, n = 75, M = 51 U/l) until reaching the adult level (8-18 years, n = 49, M = 34 U/l). Additionally, the serum TPS values of 45 mothers right after delivery (M = 161 U/l) were assessed, and there was no correlation to the marker levels determined in the cord blood of their children. The age-dependent distribution of serum TPS in healthy children must be taken into account in the clinical application of this tumor marker.
