TPS® is a tumor activity marker assay used to support prognosis, treatment monitoring, and patient follow-up for various epithelial cancers, including breast, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancer.
TPS® measures soluble fragments of cytokeratin 18, which is over-expressed in epithelial cells and particularly in many types of cancer. This information is crucial for early detection of cancer recurrence and the quick assessment of treatment efficacy.
Cytokeratins
Most eukaryotic cells have cytoplasmic cytoskeletal structures known as intermediate filaments. The cytoskeletal network is responsible for the mechanical integrity of the cell and it is critical during cellular processes like cell division, motility and cell to cell contacts. At present more than 20 different cytokeratins have been identified, of which cytokeratin 8, 18 and 19 are the most abundant in simple epithelial cells. The cytokeratins are epithelial cell specific and the cytokeratin pattern is usually preserved during the transformation of normal cells into malignant cells.
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The tumor marker TPS® is a reliable indicator of tumor cell activity particularly useful in patient managementfor different carcinomas. Compared with conventional tumor mass markers, the activity marker TPS® provides the clinician with earlier signals about the course of the disease. TPS® is particularly useful in treatment monitoring and surveillance of patients with epithelial cell carcinomas e.g. breast, prostate and
ovarian cancer.
Available in ELISA and IRMA formats.