Colon Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Colon Cancer, including details on causes, treatment, symptoms.

Humoral immune response to thymidylate synthase in colon cancer patients after 5-FU chemotherapy.

Shebzukhov YV, Koroleva EP, Khlgatian SV, Lagarkova MA, Meshcheryakov AA, Lichinitser MR, Karbach J, Jager E, Kuprash DV, Nedospasov SA

Department of Molecular Immunology, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Vorobjovy Gory, Moscow 119899, Russia.

Thymidylate synthase (TYMS), the critical enzyme for DNA synthesis and a target for chemotherapy, was recently characterized as an oncogene and a potential target for specific immunotherapy. Here we report TYMS-specific antibody response in a fraction of colon cancer patients. Humoral immune response to TYMS is induced by chemotherapy using TYMS inhibitors, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and may be associated with tumor burden. Therefore, TYMS may serve as a useful serological biomarker for monitoring the course of disease and treatment in cancer patients.

Published 12 September 2005 in Immunol Lett, 100(1): 88-93.
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