OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the differences in glycoforms of ascitic fluids which can be considered as useful in discrimination between benign and malignant patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: The investigations were carried out on 17 benign and 13 malignant patients. To obtain high molecular weight material, gel exclusion chromatography was applied. To evaluate the relative amounts of different glycoforms, ELISA tests with biotinylated lectins were used. RESULTS: The fucosylation pattern was found to be similar in malignant and benign group. Fucose linked by alpha 1-6 bond was the most abundant structure. Sialylation was found to be more typical for malignant patients. Alpha 2-6 bond was observed on higher level than alpha 2-3 linkage. T and Tn antigens were present on rather low level with a slight prevalence of T antigen in malignant group. The glycoforms recognized by DSA lectin were more numerous in benign patients. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the level of some ascitic fluids glycoforms can be useful in differentiation between malignant and benign diseases.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the differences in glycoforms of ascitic fluids which can be considered as useful in discrimination between benign and malignant patients. DESIGN AND METHODS: The investigations were carried out on 17 benign and 13 malignant patients. To obtain high molecular weight material, gel exclusion chromatography was applied. To evaluate the relative amounts of different glycoforms, ELISA tests with biotinylated lectins were used. RESULTS: The fucosylation pattern was found to be similar in malignant and benign group. Fucose linked by alpha 1-6 bond was the most abundant structure. Sialylation was found to be more typical for malignant patients. Alpha 2-6 bond was observed on higher level than alpha 2-3 linkage. T and Tn antigens were present on rather low level with a slight prevalence of T antigen in malignant group. The glycoforms recognized by DSA lectin were more numerous in benign patients. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation of the level of some ascitic fluids glycoforms can be useful in differentiation between malignant and benign diseases.