Extraction and identification of a human pancreatic-tumor-associated antigen.

In attempting to develop an immunoassay to aid in the early diagnosis of cancer of the pancreas, a pancreatic-tumor-associated antigen (TAA) was identified and partially purified. The antigen has a molecular weight of approximately 380,000, does not cross-react with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and is apparently either not present or not readily detectable in normal pancreatic tissue. The development of an immunoassay employing such an antigen to aid in the diagnosis of cancer of the pancreas at an early stage of development is discussed.