The application of tumor maker radioimmunoassay-present status in Japan

In this paper, I will not describe in detail the biochemical, biological, or oncogenetic aspects of tumor makers, but will limit my discussion to the clinical applications of tumor markers, and, in some instances, comment on some specific aspects or methodology. The biological characteristics of tumor makers can be observed in the differences between normal and cancerous cells. For clinical diagnostics, the improtant question is whether or not we can detect these changes by in vitro tests. By immunological means, we are able to detect changes on cell surfaces by measuring either differentiated antigens or cell specific antigens. (Author)