?:definition
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Immunoassay reagents intended to perform qualitative and/or quantitative analyses on a body fluid sample (e.g., serum, bronchoalveolar lavage) to determine oncofetal soft keratin (i.e., cytokeratin) antigens, referred to as tissue polypeptide antigens (TPAs). They are frequently found in the serum of patients with malignant tumors. These reagents include antibodies (either monoclonal or polyclonal) capable of binding to cytokeratins 8, 18, and 19. The determination of the TPA (tumor markers) level is used in treatment monitoring and prognosis evaluation of several types of malignancies, including lung, breast, and colorectal cancer; the level of TPA can also be used to differentiate cholangiocarcinomas from hepatocellular carcinomas.
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