Thomsen-Friedenreich and Tn Antigens in Nipple Fluid: Carbohydrate Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Detection

Abstract
Purpose: Novel biomarkers would facilitate early and accurate diagnosis of breast cancer. The Thomsen-Freidenreich (TF) and Tn antigens are aberrantly glycosylated carbohydrate cancer-associated antigens found in ∼80% of adenocarcinomas. Both TF and Tn are expressed on cell-surface glycoproteins and glycolipids. Nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) is concentrated in secreted proteins and lipids from cells that give rise to cancer. The objective of this study was to determine if NAF from breasts with cancer contains elevated levels of TF and Tn compared with NAF from normal breasts. A sensitive and specific antigen capture immunoassay for TF and Tn detection in NAF was developed for this purpose.