A simple procedure for isolation of tumor-associated antigens by affinity chromatography using fucose-specific Aleuria aurantia lectin.

An affinity column containing L-fucose specific Aleuria aurantia lectin was used for the efficient separation of tumor-associated antigens. Five of six glycoconjugates antigens tested, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), CA19-9, sialyl Lewis X-i, DU-PAN-2 and CA125, bound to the affinity gel and eluted in high yield with 20 mM L-fucose, but alpha-fetoprotein, which is known to contain fucose in the carbohydrate chain, passed through the column. This column was also proved to be useful for group separation of CA19-9, sialyl Lewis X-i and Leb antigens from a serum sample with gastric cancer.