Autoantibody biomarker opens a new gateway for cancer diagnosis

Biochim Biophys Acta. 2006 Apr;1762(4):398-403. doi: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2005.12.010. Epub 2006 Jan 30.

Abstract

The list of cancer markers of current interest has grown considerably, but none of the markers used in clinical work is a true tumor marker. These cancer biomarkers are based on the determination of tumor antigens. Here, we report a single method of autoantibody enzyme immunoassay (EIA) screens for a spectrum of serum tumor markers. A comparison of the autoantibody-based EIA to conventional antigen EIA kits, using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots, showed that the autoantibody EIA can significantly enhance the sensitivity and specificity of tumor markers. The detection of serum autoantibodies for a spectrum of serum tumor markers, as demonstrated here, suggests that most, if not all, serum cancer biomarkers produce autoantibodies. A unique autoantibody biomarker screening method, as presented here, might therefore facilitate achieving the accurate and early diagnosis of cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / blood*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Autoantibodies / blood*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / immunology*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms / immunology
  • Protein Subunits / immunology
  • ROC Curve
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Protein Subunits
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases