Identification of a tumour associated antigen in lung cancer patients with asbestos exposure

Abstract

Background: This study analysed the humoral immune response in asbestos exposed lung cancer patients to identify new surrogate markers of the carcinogenic risk in populations exposed to asbestos.

Methods and results: A serological analysis identified five distinct antigens reactive with IgG derived from a lung cancer patient with high asbestos exposure. In one of the isolated antigens, quantitative RT-PCR indicated that annexin A2 (AnxA2) was overexpressed in lung cancer tissues and normal lung from patients with high asbestos exposure. Antibody against AnxA2 was detected in 9/15 (60%) of lung cancer patients with high asbestos exposure; however, in only 1/12 (8%) of lung cancer patients with low asbestos exposure. AnxA2 was also overexpressed in malignant mesothelioma cells, and the antibody was also positive in 8/15 (53%) of patients with malignant mesothelioma.

Conclusion: The antibody titer against AnxA2 may be a potentially useful new diagnostic surrogate marker for asbestos-related lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.