Reactivity of a monoclonal antibody to manganese superoxide dismutase with human ovarian carcinoma.

A monoclonal antibody against manganese superoxide dismutase was assessed for its use in detecting a marker for epithelial ovarian carcinoma. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that less than 1% of normal individuals had serum levels over 150 ng per ml of serum, whereas over 50% of such patients showed elevated amounts. The serum levels of manganese superoxide dismutase correlated with the clinical stage of the disease and with the effects of therapy. The antibody used reacts with cryopreserved epithelial ovarian carcinomas but not with normal adult ovary or other normal tissues. Determination of the levels of this enzyme should provide a useful method for detection and monitoring of responses to treatment of epithelial ovarian carcinomas.