Seroepidemiology of Human Sarcoma Antigen (S₁)

Abstract

A previously identified tumor-associated antigen of human sarcomas, S1, has been studied to characterize further its association with neoplasia. We used an immunofluorescence test on 166 serum specimens from normal persons and 295 from patients with neoplasia to determine the distribution of S1 antibody. The prevalence of antibody to S1 in the normal population varies considerably with age. Thirty-nine (91 per cent) of 43 persons between five and 20 years of age had serum antiS1 activity, whereas of 39 above the age of 41 only 13 (33 per cent) were similarly reactive. Neoplasia may induce the reappearance of S1 antibody. Significant antibody levels were found in more than 80 per cent of patients with carcinoma of the breast, lung and melanoma 41 years of age or older. An inverse relation of antibody prevalence to extent of disease was noted in persons with Hodgkin's disease. Available data suggest that S1 is a "heterophil" type of antigen. Although not tumor-specific, S1 may prove useful both for the detection of neoplasia and for the evaluation of response to anti-tumor therapy. (N Engl J Med 291:1103–1107, 1974)