Tumor markers for ovarian cancer.

The literature on tumor distinctive markers in ovarian cancer has been reviewed. Various immunological and biochemical approaches have been attempted for the diagnosis and management of patients with ovarian cancer. The complex spectrum of antigens that can be detected in human ovarian cancer consists of several tumor-associated antigens, fetal or carcinoembryonic antigens, carcinoplacental markers, and normal tissue antigens. We have described and partially characterized two ovarian tumor-associated antigens designated as OCAA and OCAA-1, which seem to have potential for the immunodiagnosis of ovarian cancer. Several other investigators have carried out similar studies, but in general their serological characterization of these antigens has been limited. The well-defined embryonic proteins that have been examined in the ovarian cancer include carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-fp), beta-oncofetal antigen (BOFA), Regan and Nagao isoenzymes and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). The presence of pregnancy-zone protein (PZP) has also been reported in ovarian cancer. In addition, several normal tissue components include fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), alpha 1-globulin, and urokinase have been found associated with ovarian cancer. Both humoral antibodies and cell-mediated immune responses against tumor-associated antigens can be measured in ovarian cancer patients. In addition, serum factors, which block cellular immune reactions, have been identified. However, progress in this area has been hampered by the complexity of the antigens associated with ovarian tumors and the lack of standardized, well-characterized sources of antigens or target cells. Enzymes, especially those involved in glycoprotein biosynthesis, (eg, glycoprotein:glycosyltransferases and glycosidase) have been explored as possible early biochemical indicators of ovarian neoplasia. A serum specific deficiency of alpha-L-fucosidase has been found in patients with ovarian cancers. Of all the glycoprotein:glycosyltransferases studied, galactosyltransferase has been found to be the best enzyme marker for ovarian adenocarcinoma. The determination of serum levels of this enzyme reflected the clinical status of the patient with respect of tumor progression as well as tumor burden. Recently, assay of a phosphodiesterase, which specifically hydrolyzes cytidine 5'-monophospho-N-acetylneuraminic acid, has been found promising in the detection and management of patients with ovarian cancer.