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any of several antigens that occur naturally in the fetus and sometimes in adults with cancer

any of several antigens that occur naturally in the fetus and sometimes in adults with cancer

The first alpha-globulins to appear in mammalian sera during development of the embryo and the dominant serum proteins in early embryonic life. They reappear in the adult serum during certain pathologic states, primarily hepatocellular carcinoma. They may also be elevated in the amniotic fluid and maternal serum during pregnancy in ANENCEPHALY.