The mucin marker, CASA, in ovarian cancer

Abstract

The Cancer-associated Serum Antigen (CASA) assay uses two monoclonal antibodies reactive with the core protein op the polymorphic epithelial mucin (MUC1) to measure levels of this molecule in serum. Detection of this mucin using this assay is dependent on the level of glycosylation of this complex molecule. A normal range of CASA levels has been established with smoking, increasing age and chronic respiratory infections increasing basal CASA levels. Because of the independent expression of CASA and CA125 in ovarian cancer, and because CASA is not elevated in most patients with benign adnexal masses, CASA can be used in combination with CA125 to facilitate the discrimination of malignant from..