New placental and pregnancy proteins as possible markers in oncology.

A number of placental and pregnancy proteins has been detected by immunochemical methods in extracts from human term placentae. Several of these proteins already have been isolated and characterized and are now investigated for their usefulness as markers in oncology. Several of these proteins so long tested appear to be useful as markers in monitoring tumour patients, i.e. in the early detection of tumour recurrence or metastases and in the control of therapy. In addition, we hope that a combination of several of these new markers with already established tumour markers will enable to better diagnose tumours. Also will the use of solitary tissue proteins aid in the differential diagnosis of cancers.