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Japanese Journal of Cancer Research : Gann logoLink to Japanese Journal of Cancer Research : Gann
. 1989 Dec;80(12):1156–1160. doi: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.1989.tb01647.x

Detection of Increased Fecal Carcinoembryonic Antigen and Its Characterization as a Membrane‐bound Form in Colorectal Carcinoma and Other Gastrointestinal Disorders

Kokichi Sugano 1,2, Hisanao Ohkura 1,✉, Setsuo Hirohashi 3, Yukio Shimosato 3, Yoichi Sakurai 4, Susumu Kodaira 4, Osahiko Abe 4
PMCID: PMC5917927  PMID: 2516843

Abstract

The levels and character of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in feces were investigated by sandwich radioimmunometric assay using anti‐CEA monoclonal antibodies NCC‐CO‐411 and NCC‐CO‐432. Mean CEA concentration was significantly higher (P< 0.001) in the feces from patients with colorectal carcinoma and other gastrointestinal disorders as compared to normal adults. More than 90% of the fecal CEA was trapped by a 0.22 μm membrane filter and solubilized by treatment with 1% Triton X‐100 or phosphatidyl‐inositol specific phospholipase C. In hydrophobic chromatography, most of the fecal CEA was eluted at the lowest (NH4)2SO4 concentration while serum CEA appeared in the more hydrophilic fractions. These results suggest that the majority of CEA exists in feces as an amphiphilic molecule or a membrane‐bound form. The increase of fecal CEA may reflect the destruction and abrasion of epithelial cells in various gastrointestinal disorders.

Keywords: Monoclonal antibody, Carcinoembryonic antigen, Phosphatidyl inositol‐linked membrane protein, Phosphatidyl‐inositol specific phospholipase C

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