Tumor Associated Glycoprotein 72 (TAG72)

Tumor-associated glycoproteins (TAGs) are glycoproteins found on the surface of many cancer cells. They are mucin-like molecules with a molar mass of over 1000 kDa. Tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72) is a glycoprotein found on the surface of many cancer cells, including breast, colon, and pancreatic cells. It is a mucin-like molecule with a molar mass of over 1000 kDa. TAG-72 is a a tumor marker and can be measured with radioimmunoassays like CA 72-4, which uses indium (¹¹¹In) satumomab pendetide and iodine (¹²⁵I) CC49 monoclonal antibody. 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.