[Detection of DU-PAN-2 antigen (pancreatic cancer-associated antigen) in sera of patients with cancer of the digestive tract].

DU-PAN-2 is an antigen detected by a monoclonal antibody to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. In order to determine the clinical usefulness of DU-PAN-2 for diagnosis and monitoring in cancer patients, the DU-PAN-2 level (EIA, less than or equal to 300 U/ml) was measured in 238 patients with cancer of the digestive tract including 47 with pancreatic cancer, and in 57 with benign abdominal disease. The positive rate and maximum level for pancreatic cancer were 48.9% and 85,960 U/ml, respectively. However, DU-PAN-2 levels were also relatively high in hepatobiliary cancers. For stage II pancreatic cancer, the positive rate and maximum level of DU-PAN-2 were only 22.2% and 661 U/ml, respectively. On the other hand, these values were 0% and 196 U/ml (pancreatic cyst) in 15 benign pancreatic diseases. In postoperative monitoring of up to 35 months in 17 resected patients with pancreatic cancer, the DU-PAN-2 level decreased on resection of the tumor and increased on recurrence. This study suggested that DU-PAN-2 seems promising as a means for differentiating pancreatic cancer from benign pancreatic disease and for detecting the recurrence of pancreatic cancer. However, differentiation between pancreatic and hepatobiliary cancers appears difficult.