Seroepidemiology of Human Sarcoma Antigen (S1)

Abstract

A previously identified tumor-associated antigen of human sarcomas, S₁, has been studied to characterize further its association with neoplasia. We used an immunofluorescence test on 166 serum specimens from normal persons and 295 from patients with neoplasia to determine the distribution of S₁ antibody. The prevalence of antibody to S₁ in the normal population varies considerably with age. Thirty-nine (91 per cent) of 43 persons between five and 20 years of age had serum antiS₁ activity, whereas of 39 above the age of 41 only 13 (33 per cent) were similarly reactive.