Tissue polypeptide antigen, TPA for short, is a marker that indicates the processes of cell death in the body. Therefore, its presence in the blood may indicate both a harmless inflammation and a neoplastic process. Despite its non-specificity and low sensitivity, the tissue polypeptide antigen is used as a complementary marker in the diagnosis of some cancers.

Tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA)is a protein that is formed during cell division of both he althy and diseased cells. Tissue polypeptide antigen is actually a fragment of another protein called cytokeratin 18, which is part of the internal skeleton of epithelial cells, such as the kidneys, ovaries, and liver. Tissue polypeptide antigen is released into the bloodstream as cells die or break down. Therefore, it is considered a marker of cell death processes, regardless of their cause.

Tissue polypeptide antigen - what is the test and how much does it cost?

Tissue polypeptide antigen is tested from venous blood taken from the elbow bend. Before the examination, the patient should be fasting. Then the blood is transported to the laboratory, where the tissue polypeptide antigen is determined using enzyme immunoassay methods, e.g. ELISA.

The price of a tissue polypeptide antigen test in a commercial laboratory is from 100 to 150 PLN.

Tissue polypeptide antigen - who to test on?

Tissue polypeptide antigen has been used as a marker in cancer diagnostics. However, due to the fact that it is a marker of low sensitivity and organ specificity, it is not used as standard in oncological management.

In order to increase the diagnostic value of the tissue polypeptide antigen, it is recommended to test it together with other tumor markers, such as CEA or CA 15-3.

Tissue polypeptide antigen - standard

The norm for a tissue polypeptide antigen may differ from lab to lab. Examples of standards for tissue polypeptide antigen are:

  • <83 U/l
  • <95 U/l

Tissue polypeptide antigen - what does an incorrect result mean?

Increased level of tissue polypeptide antigen occurs in:

  • acute and chronic inflammation
  • benign liver lesions e.g. cirrhosis
  • diabetes
  • lung diseases
  • diseases of the genitourinary system
  • stomach cancer
  • pancreatic cancer
  • colorectal cancer
  • rectal cancer
  • prostate cancer
  • lung cancer
  • breast cancer
  • ovarian cancer

It is important to know that the level of tissue polypeptide antigen may increase in he althy women during ovulation, before childbirth or several days after delivery.

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