Evaluation of MSA as a serum marker in breast cancer: A comparison with CEA

Abstract

Summary In a blind study, 518 serum samples were assayed for serum levels of mammary serum antigen (MSA) by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using the 3E1.2 monoclonal antibody. Using 300 IU as the arbitrary cut off to distinguish normal from abnormal individuals, 75% of patients with primary Stage I carcinoma of the breast (n = 12), 89% (Stacker et al., 1987).Other workers have produced monoclonal antibodies which define high molecular weight glycoproteins in the serum of patients with breast cancer (Hayes et al., 1985;Papasidero et al., 1984;Burchell et al., 1984; lacobelli et al., 1986). 3E1.2 can be distinguished from these monoclonal antibodies by its lack of reactivity with high molecular weight glycoproteins in human milk and milk fat globule membranes (Stacker et al., 1987). In this paper we describe the MSA levels found in three separate panels of coded serum samples. Included in this study are: (i) the evaluation of MSA levels in non-breast cancers and non-malignant disorders; (ii) the use of MSA levels for monitoring the clinical course of disease in patients with breast cancer; and (iii) the comparison of MSA and CEA levels in the serum of patients with breast cancer and other diseases.

Objective measurement of therapeutic response in breast cancer using tumour markers

“…Serum CEA has been examined in combination with a number of monoclonal antibodies raised to tumour associated antigens -e.g. MAM-6 antigen, 11 5D8 (Hilkens et al, 1987), antigen (Hayes et al, 1986;Fujino et al, 1986;Pons-Anicet et al, 1987;Kallioniemi et al, 1988;Tondini et al, 1988;Delarue et al, 1988) and mammary serum antigen (MSA) (Stacker et al, 1988). Other newer monoclonal antibodies have been reported such as MCA (Stahli et al, 1989), CA 549 (Bray et al, 1989) and CA M26 and CA M29 (van Ramp et al, 1989).…”

Characteristics of a breast cancer‐associated antigen defined by RCC‐1 antibody

“…an IgM (8) and HMFG-1, an igGl (9). Another monoclonal antibody (MoAb) used was 3EI 2 (IgM) thai was developed against primary breast carcinoma (10); it detected a high molecular weight glycoprotein in breast cancer tissue and sera but had a weak or no reaction with components ofthe human milk (11). MoAbs were purified from ascitic fluid: IgG antibodies by protein A-Sepharose (Pharmacia Inc.. Piscataway.…”

“…Human milk fat globule membrane (HMFGM) was isolated from fresh human milk as previously described (21). The aetivity ofthe antibody RCC-I was assessed by its binding to T47D membrane in an enzyme linked immunosorhent assay (ELISA) (11). T47D membrane was coated in carbonate buffer.…”

The association of mammary serum antigen (MSA) with the histopathological findings in localised breast cancer

“…In addition, changes in MSA level have been shown to correlate with the clinical course and precede disease progression (Tjandra et al, 1988). In a preliminary study, MSA measurement was also found to be more sensitive than the currently available tumour markers (CA15-3 and CEA) for the detection of breast cancer Stacker et al, 1988 (Bearhs & Myers, 1983). The MSA levels were determined and a level of 300 IU was considered to be the upper limit of normal (mean +2 s.d.)…”