PPT Slide
Oncofetal antigens are normally expressed during a specific
phase of embryogenesis but are absent or present at very low
levels in mature, well differentiated tissues. These antigens
are not immunogenic in the authocthonus host and do not
possess any role in tumor immunity but are particularly useful
as diagnostic and prognostic markers. Their serum
concentration, in fact, correlates fairly well with the size of
tumor mass, the degree of differentiation of the lesion and
the response to therapy. In this respect the most reliable
antigens are carcinoembryonic antigen and alpha fetoprotein.