[Carbohydrate antigens as a tumor-associated antigen and prognostic indicators in carcinomas of the breast, esophagus, stomach, colorectum, and pancreas].

The immunohistochemical analysis using the monoclonal antibodies to the carbohydrate antigens were performed and suggested that CA19-9 is a tumor-associated antigen in gastric cancer, Leb, Ley, CA19-9, CSLEX1, SLX in colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer, and Lex, Ley, and CSLEX1 in breast and esophageal cancers, respectively. Expression of the type 2 carbohydrate antigens had relation to the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. In colorectal cancer, the patients with high degree of expression of CA19-9 had a poor prognosis, and high risk of distant metastasis. Higher intensity of staining was observed in hepatic in comparison with primary lesion. Thus carbohydrate antigens showed important role as tumor-associated antigens and good indicator for evaluation of prognosis.