We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Tumor Antigens?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,589
Share

Tumor antigens are abnormal proteins produced by cancerous cells. The body of the host reacts to these antigens, recognizing them as abnormal. There are a number of potential applications for tumor antigens, which range from testing for certain antigens to learn more about a tumor to developing vaccines for certain types of cancers. A number of cancer researchers study these antigens to learn more about how they form and function.

In a healthy human body, the immune system has learned to ignore proteins which are normally found in the body, and to attack proteins which appear to be foreign in nature. In the case of tumor antigens, normal cells become mutated and start growing out of control, and the mutation can lead to the development of abnormal proteins which can be seen and attacked by the immune system. While the immune system cannot necessarily kill all of the abnormal cells off, it may cause inflammation and associated issues around the site of the tumorous growth.

Some antigens are tumor-specific, associated only with tumorous growths. Others are tumor-associated, which means that they can occur in tumors, or in regular cells. Using known antigens, a doctor can test tumorous growths to learn more about them and where they originated by looking for particular antigens of interest. Researchers also study tumors with the goal of identifying new antigens which can be used in testing and diagnosis.

One potential application for tumor antigens is in cancer treatment. Using tumor-specific antigens, a treatment could be developed to target those antigens, allowing a doctor to deliver a dose of medication directly to the tumor without damaging other parts of the body. Because many cancer treatments are highly destructive and indiscriminate, a targeted medication could make a huge difference in cancer treatment by being more effective and less damaging to the patient, reducing side effects from the medication.

Tumor antigens could also potentially be used in the development of vaccines for specific types of cancers. Vaccines work by exposing the body to a controlled dose of an antigen, allowing the immune system to develop antibodies which will attack that antigen if it is detected in the future. Tumor antigens could be used in the same way, teaching the body to attack and kills cancerous cells if it identifies them. Because cancers are so variable, it would not be possible to create a single vaccine to protect against all tumors, but specific common tumors could be targeted with various vaccines.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Hidium — On Jul 25, 2013

I had breast cancer, but it was caught very early, so I had a very small lumpectomy, clean borders, stage 1a. Now my blood work is showing a high CEA level. However, I've had an MRI, a CAT scan and a PET CT, which showed no sign of a tumor. I have SLE, and my body has been attacking healthy tissue for years, thinking it's 'invading'. So, I'm wondering if this would make the CEA level less important in the grand scheme of things. Any thoughts? I want off cancer island. Enough testing already.

By snickerish — On Sep 30, 2011

@Sinbad - Based on what I know, I think this article was referring to the organ that is hosting the tumor and therefore the antigens. So for example, I think that in breast cancer the breast would be considered the body of the host, because the breast would be reacting to the cancer cells?

That's what makes sense to me, but don't quote me on it, and then of course, it is a completely different story as far as the body of the host if the breast cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

By Sinbad — On Sep 30, 2011

I just started learning about tumor antigens so that may be why I didn't understand what the article was referring to with "the body of the host."

What is the body of the host? Is referring to some sort of area, maybe an organ that is hosting the antigens or is that just another way to say the person's actual "body"?

I find it fascinating that these cells make abnormal proteins and that are body can recognize them as abnormal. And even more fascinating that we can learn more about a tumor via the associated antigens.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-tumor-antigens.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.