Serological identification of antigens associated with renal cell carcinoma.

Serological analysis of cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) is a technique designed for the identification of tumor specific antigens serologically recognized by the patient immune system. Application of SEREX to different types of tumor led to the identification of a wide range of tumor-associated antigens. Here we used SEREX to search for new antigens associated with renal cancer. The cDNA expression libraries were prepared from two renal cell carcinoma specimens and screened with the autologous patients sera. A total of 96 positive clones representing 66 different genes were isolated, including 18 genes with unknown function. All positive clones were further characterized by reactivity against a panel of sera from healthy donors and patients with renal cancer. As a result, we identified four antigens with a cancer-related serological profile, which may be used for the diagnostics of renal cancer.