CA242
CA242 (Cancer Antigen 242) is an important glycoprotein biomarker in oncology and the biomedical industry. Classified as a mucin, which is a type of glycoprotein characterized by extensive glycosylation and often elongated structures, CA242 plays a key role in various types of cancer.
Structure and Function
CA242 consists of a unique amino acid sequence, with tandem repeats rich in proline, threonine, and serine residues. These repeats contribute to its mucinous characteristics and glycosylated nature. The glycosylation process, especially the addition of O-linked glycans, enhances the stability of CA242 and modulates its biological functions. The specific amino acid sequence and glycosylation pattern are critical to its structure and functionality, making it an important target for detection in cancer diagnostics.
Clinical Significance
The detection and accurate quantification of CA242 are essential for diagnosing and monitoring gastrointestinal cancers, particularly pancreatic and colorectal cancers, where CA242 is often overexpressed. Understanding the structure and sequence of CA242 helps improve detection methods, advancing cancer diagnostics and treatment strategies in the biomedical field.
CA242 and Tumor Marker Recognition
CA242 is recognized as a tumor marker using monoclonal antibody hybridoma technology, which identifies CA242 in saliva acidification assays and in colon cancer cell lines. This glycoprotein marker is often expressed in malignant tumors of various organs but is distinguished from other mucin types by its inability to react with Lewis A antigens and certain galactose glucoside markers.
Comparison with Other Tumor Markers
CA242 is often expressed alongside CA50, though distinct monoclonal antibodies recognize these two markers separately. In clinical practice, CA242 is primarily used to diagnose gastrointestinal malignancies, especially pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
When compared to other tumor markers such as CA19-9 and CA50, the new generation CA242 marker demonstrates higher sensitivity and specificity, particularly in the detection of pancreatic, gallbladder, and gastrointestinal cancers.
Method Comparison based on fluorescent test
Master sheets of Fluorescent Tests available from SEKBIO
Sensitivity Data
Conc. U/mL | RLU | S/N |
0 | 1500 | 1.0 |
2 | 22213 | 14.8 |
8 | 84005 | 56.0 |
14 | 142356 | 94.9 |
50 | 489652 | 326.4 |
100 | 1005422 | 670.3 |
200 | 1706585 | 1137.7 |
500 | 3245122 | 2163.4 |