2003 年 36 巻 3 号 p. 185-192
Expression of type-1 carbohydrate antigens (CBAs), DU-PAN-2 and CA19-9, was strongly dependent on hormonal regulation during the menstrual cycle in the endometrium. DU-PAN-2 expression was more frequent than that of CA19-9 in endometrial adenocarcinomas (EMACs), with no correlation to menopausal status. The relationship between immunohistochemical profiles and serum values was statistically proven to be closer for DU-PAN-2 than for CA19-9. Although during staging-up the serological positive ratios distinctly increased for both DU-PAN-2 and CA19-9, the serum DU-PAN-2 values tended to decrease according to histological grading-up and the reverse was true for CA19-9.
In the analysis of variable thyroid diseases, from the specific and frequent expression of DU-PAN-2 in papillary carcinomas, it was suggested that DU-PAN-2 would be a useful immunohistochemical marker for distinguishing papillary carcinomas from follicular tumors. For testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), it could be emphasized that embryonal carcinomas were rather characteristic of extensive DU-PAN-2 expression. Particularly in CA19-9-negative cases, a combined analysis would be helpful in confirming the histologic diagnosis of embryonal carcinoma.
The biological significance of characteristic DU-PAN-2 expression as a tumor marker in the above tumors remains to be clarified. The difference in activity of the specific glycosyltransferases, α-2-3-sialyltransferase and α-1-4-fucosyltransferase, may result in the variable expression profiles of these antigens.
