NEW ONCOFETAL ANTIGEN FOR HUMAN PANCREAS

Abstract Antisera against stabilised homogenates of whole human fetal pancreas were raised in rabbits and absorbed with normal adult pancreas and albumin. By two-dimensional immuno-electrophoresis in agarose containing antiproteases, a characteristic peak was shown in sera from 36 of 37 patients with carcinoma of the pancreas. It was also found against extracts of fetal pancreas or adult pancreatic carcinoma. It was absent from sera of 38 other patients, including those with gut cancers (8 positive for colonic carcinoembryonic antigen), hepatoma (2 positive for α-fetoprotein), other causes of jaundice (11), and acute (5) or chronic (12) pancreatitis. It was absent in extracts of fetal colon and fetal liver. Thus far the adsorbed antisera seem to detect an oncofetal antigen complex specific to pancreas.