What are oncofetal antigens?

Oncofetal antigens are antigens that are expressed in embryonic or fetal tissue, but are not normally detectable in healthy adult tissues. They can be expressed in some cancers, and their presence can indicate the presence of cancer cells in the body.

They are considered tumor markers, and their detection in patients' blood or tissue samples may aid in the diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of certain types of cancer.

Examples of oncofetal antigens include:

1) Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): This is an oncofetal antigen associated with liver cancer. Elevated levels of AFP in the blood may indicate liver cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma.

2) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG): This is an oncofetal antigen associated with certain types of germ cell tumors, such as testicular cancer and choriocarcinoma. High levels of hCG in the blood or urine can be a marker for these types of tumors.

3) Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): CEA is an oncofetal antigen associated with several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. Elevated CEA levels may indicate the presence of these cancers.

4) Neuron-specific enolase (NSE): NSE is an oncofetal antigen associated with neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer that starts in the nerve cells of the sympathetic nervous system. High levels of NSE in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid can be a marker for neuroblastoma.

It's important to note that the presence of oncofetal antigens alone does not necessarily mean a person has cancer. Other diagnostic tests and examinations are necessary for a definitive diagnosis and to determine the appropriate course of treatment.