The use of a tumor antigen TA-4 for the management of squamous cell carcinoma.

A radioimmunoassay for a tumor antigen TA-4 of squamous cell carcinoma has been used for the management of cervical cancer. The present study shows the clinical value of the TA-4 assay for squamous cell carcinoma of various origins. Pretreatment serum TA-4 levels were detectable in 44.4% of cervical cancer, 47.1% of vaginal and vulvar cancer, 33.3% of lung cancer, 42.9% of esophageal cancer, and 10% of cancer of other origins. In 313 control cases, including other histologic types of malignancies or benign diseases, one case showed a positive TA-4 level. Serial determinations of serum TA-4 levels were performed in patients with squamous cell carcinoma, which revealed that changes in TA-4 levels were rapid and were helpful for monitoring the disease progress and for detecting the recurrent disease. These results indicate that the TA-4 assay would be a useful aid for the management of squamous cell carcinoma of various origins.