BACKGROUND: Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of cancer antigens with extensive expression in human cancers. Many researchers have detected antibody responses against these tumor antigens in serum of cancer patients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relevance of humoral immune responses against CTAs in clinical outcome of cancer patients METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline with the key words cancer-testis antigen, antibody, humoral response and cancer. RESULTS: Humoral immune responses against CTAs have been detected in several human malignancies including skin, breast, brain and ovarian cancers. Some studies have shown associations between the presence of these responses in patients and patients' survival. CONCLUSION: Humoral immune responses against CTAs are putative biomarkers for cancer detection and follow-up.
BACKGROUND:Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of cancer antigens with extensive expression in humancancers. Many researchers have detected antibody responses against these tumor antigens in serum of cancerpatients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relevance of humoral immune responses against CTAs in clinical outcome of cancerpatients METHODS: We searched PubMed/Medline with the key words cancer-testis antigen, antibody, humoral response and cancer. RESULTS: Humoral immune responses against CTAs have been detected in several humanmalignancies including skin, breast, brain and ovarian cancers. Some studies have shown associations between the presence of these responses in patients and patients' survival. CONCLUSION: Humoral immune responses against CTAs are putative biomarkers for cancer detection and follow-up.