Abstract :
Currently, many biological markers have been described, the determination of which contributes to the detection of a malignant tumor. Membrane-associated mucins (MUC) may be a potential marker for colon cancer. The aim of the study is to evaluate the clinical significance of the expression of high molecular weight glycoproteins MUC-1 and MUC-13 as markers of tumor processes in the large intestine. Samples of tissues and blood serum of 106 patients with a malignant neoplasm of the large intestine were studied. Immunological (enzymatic immunoassay), determination of antibodies to MUC-1 and MUC-13 receptors. The role of antibodies to MUC-1 and MUC-13 receptors as diagnostic markers in the process of clarifying the diagnosis of colon cancer was evaluated. The established limits of fluctuations in serum antibodies to MUC-1 and MUC-13 in healthy individuals differed from those in patients with a tumor (p=0,02). In patients with colon cancer, the levels of antibodies to MUC-1 and MUC-13 receptors in the tumor tissue are higher than in non-tumour-affected intestinal tissue. The level of expression of MUC-1 and MUC-13 in the tumor tissue does not depend on the size of the tumor, lymph node involvement, the presence of distant metastases, age and sex of patients. Thus, mucins MUC-1 and MUC-13 are of practical interest as additional markers for assessing tumor processes in the large intestine and their concentration in the tissue can be used to control the completeness of the volume of resection of the large intestine tumor during surgical interventions.
