Special remarks:

The CA 72-4 RIA is an in vitro test for the quantitative measurement of TAG 72 in human serum and plasma. Initial research indicates that determination of circulating TAG 72 levels by the CA 72-4 RIA could aid in the management of patients with diagnosed gastric cancer and other gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Radioimmunoassay for the detection of Tumor-Assocsiated Glycoprotein 72 (TAG 72) in serum or plasma. This radioactive material may be received, acquired, possessed, and used only by physicians, clinical laboratories, or hospitals and only for in vitro clinical or laboratory testes not involving internal or external administration of the material or the radiation therefrom, to human beings or animals. In the United States, its receipt, acquisition, possession, use, and transfer are subject to the regulations and a general license of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or a state with which the Commission has entered into an agreement for the exercise of regulatory authority.

TAG 72 is a high molecular weight, much like complex, which is predominantly expressed in malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.  Development of an immunoassay made it possible to detect TAG 72 in blood and other bodily fluids. The CA 72-4 is based upon two monoclonal antibodies cc49 and B72.3, which react with distinct antigenic determinants expressed on the circulating TAG 72 antigen.  The results of clinical studies to date indicate that the level of TAG 72 may be elevated in the serum or plasma from patients with GI malignancies as well as with other malignancies, such as lung cancer, and with some non-malignant disorders.