Tumours express unique antigens, which can be recognized by the immune system or detected by antibodies. These antigens can be classified into two main categories: tumour-specific antigens (TSAs) and tumour-associated antigens (TAAs). TSAs are expressed exclusively on tumour cells, whilst TAAs are also present on normal cells but are overexpressed or mutated in tumours. Tumour antigens are generally proteins can be measured in a patient's body and are associated with the presence, progression, or treatment response of cancer. These biomarkers play a crucial role in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment strategies. Some common tumour antigens include: 1) Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA). CEA is a glycoprotein found in high levels in certain types of cancer, such as colorectal, pancreatic, lung, and breast cancers. It is primarily used to monitor cancer progression, assess treatment response, and detect cancer recurrence; 2) Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA). PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated levels of PSA in the blood may indicate the presence of prostate cancer; 3) CA 125. CA 125 is a protein marker elevated in the blood of some patients with ovarian cancer. It is particularly useful for monitoring treatment response, detecting cancer recurrence, and assessing disease progression in ovarian cancer patients; 4) HER2/neu. Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2/neu) is a protein that is overexpressed in certain breast cancers. HER2 testing helps identify patients who may benefit from targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin); 5) Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR): EGFR is a cell surface receptor that is often mutated or overexpressed in various cancers, including lung cancer and colorectal cancer. EGFR testing helps guide treatment decisions, as specific targeted therapies, such as EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib, are available for patients with EGFR mutations; 6) KRAS. KRAS is a gene that plays a role in many cancer-relevant signalling pathways. KRAS mutations are frequently observed in colorectal cancer and other malignancies. KRAS testing helps determine treatment options, as certain targeted therapies are ineffective for patients with KRAS mutations; 7) BRCA1 and BRCA2. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are genes associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancers. Genetic testing for BRCA1/2 mutations helps identify individuals at increased risk for these cancers and guides preventive measures and treatment decisions; 8) PD-L1. Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a protein expressed on the surface of some cancer cells. PD-L1 testing is used to identify patients who may respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors which block the interaction between PD-L1 and its receptor on immune cells; 9) AFP. Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the liver during foetal development. Elevated AFP levels in adults can indicate liver cancer, germ cell tumours, or certain other cancers; 10) Ki-67. Ki-67 is a protein associated with cell proliferation. It is used as a marker to assess the growth rate of tumours and predict their aggressiveness. It's important to note that the choice and significance of tumour antigens/biomarkers can vary depending on the specific cancer type and individual patient characteristics. Biomarker research continues to evolve, with new markers being discovered and validated, contributing to advancements in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection. We provide a wide product range of research reagents for investigating tumor antigens, including CEACAM5 antibodies, CD63 antibodies, PD-L1 antibodies, alpha 1 Fetoprotein ELISA Kits, and Prostate Specific Antigen ELISA Kits. Explore our full tumor antigens product range below and discover more, for less.