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Immunodiagnostic potential of a virus‐coded, tumor‐associated antigen (AG‐4) in cervical cancer

The central theme of this communication is the recognition of an immunodiagnostic potential in a herpes virus antigen, the molecular interrelationship of which with cervical tumor cells is described. In addition to the productive infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) we are confronted by latency and, as suggested by recent studies, by cancer. These different types of virus‐host cell interactions are discussed at the host, as well as at the cellular level. A defined level of molecular interaction between host and viral gene products must exist if the virus is to co‐exist with the host, as is the case in latency and carcinogenesis. The molecular interpretations posit the presence, in the squamous cervical tumor cells, of a product of the expression of the viral genome that has immunodiagnostic potential. The antigen designated AG‐4 fulfills these predictions and appears to have immunodiagnostic potential. AG‐4 is present in cervical tumor biopsies, but not in normal cervical tissue. It is a structural component of the HSV‐2 virion that, in tissue cultures infected with HSV‐2, is synthesized preferentially under conditions that prevent the normal replication of the virus. In view of its structural nature it is most probably virus‐coded. AG‐4 antibody identified in complement fixation assays with antigen prepared in tissue culture, disappears following successful tumor removal and reappears during cancer recurrence. This antibody also potentially identifies those patients with cervical atypia that are at high risk of neoplastic progression. The clinical benefits of the assay are evident.