Detection of circulating gastric carcinoma-associated antigen MG7-Ag in human sera using an established single determinant immuno-polymerase chain reaction technique

Abstract

The results of the current study demonstrate that introducing PCR into the indirect determination of tumor-associated antigen in the serum can improve the sensitivity of detection greatly. This novel assay also might be used to monitor the circulating amount of tumor-associated antigen after gastrectomy and provide information regarding recurrence or metastasis, as well as for screening elderly patients who have no indications for endoscopy and those with precancerous conditions. The application of immuno-PCR in the serologic diagnosis of carcinoma has significant advantages including ready application in the clinical setting as well as use as a potential screening tool in mass surveys of high risk populations with gastric carcinoma. (c) 2000 American Cancer Society.