Protein composition of cyst fluids from mature teratoma in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis

Abstract

Protein analyses were performed in 15 cyst fluids (CF) from mature teratoma (TD) and in 15 corresponding sera from 9 nonseminomatous germ cell tumor patients. Qualitatively, many similarities between the protein compositions of CF and corresponding sera were seen. Quantitative comparisons suggested free diffusion of plasma proteins into the cyst lumen in nine cases, whereas in five CF a decreased size selectivity of the blood–TD barrier was observed. From the quantitative data it was concluded that the significantly increased CCF/Cserum concentration ratios for the tumor markers alpha‐fetoprotein (8/14), human chorionic gonadotropin (3/14), and carcinoembryonic antigen (13/13) as well as for lysozyme (12/13), ferritin (12/13), and fibronectin (3/6) were either due to local synthesis or to concentrating properties of the TD cells. The results of the current study encourage further research for new tumor‐associated proteins in cyst fluids. Copyright © 1985 American Cancer Society