Expression of tumor maker in malignant cells

Recently, a variety of tumor marlers has been used for the diagnosis and management of malignant disease. Particularly, serial determinations of circulating marler values have been widely accepted as the promising aids for monitoring the disease progress and for the detection of recurrer disease. On the other hand, there are some disadvantive of tumor marlers, including the presence of false-positive and the poor sensitivity to detect early cancer. Also, little informations are available regarding the mechanism for controlling the expression of tumor markers, and regarding what the tumor markers are actually doing in the host patients. We have demonstrated the preparation and clinical use of TA-4, a tumor marker of aquamous cell carcinoma. The present paper reviews some interesting issues regarding the past nad the future of tumor markers, using TA-4 as a model.