Carbohydrate Antigen 242 (CA242)

CA 242 is a tumor marker,This is a new tumour marker for detection of colon, pancreatic and lung cancer.CA 242, a novel tumour carbohydrate antigen present in serum (upper limit of normal values: 20.0 U ml-1), has been measured in a group of 102 pathologically confirmed non-small cell lung cancer patients. The CA-242 is a sialylated carbohydrate antigen present on mucinous type of glycoproteins in carcinomas of many organs1, 2, 3. The CA-242 antigen is shedded from the tumor and the CA-242 can be detected in serum from patients with carcinomas.

In the normal healthy subjects and subjects with benign diseases, the CA-242 levels are low, while elevated levels are commonly found in patients with gastro-intestinal cancer3.