What is Tumor-associated glycoprotein 72?

Tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 is a glycoprotein found on the surface of many cancer cells, including ovary, breast, colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers. It is a mucin-like molecule with a molar mass of over 1000 kDa.

TAG-72 is a tumor marker measured with radioimmunoassays like CA 72-4, which uses the monoclonal antibodies indium satumomab pendetide and iodine minretumomab. This assay has a good specificity for gastric cancer, with a correlation to the neoplasia's extension. It is used to identify relapses of the disease and to follow up the treatment.

TAG-72 is also the target of the anti-cancer drugs anatumomab mafenatox and minretumomab.