Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor

Tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) is a 6kDa trypsin inhibitor that was first identified from the urine of an ovarian cancer patient. 

TATI is identical to the previously identified pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (PSTI), which is also known as 

Although pancreatitis, severe injury, and inflammation can all increase its levels, TATI can stfll function as a relatively good tumor marker for various cancers. In most cancers, the increase in TATI is due to tumor production however, inflammation associated with tissue destruction contributes to the overall TATI increase. Serum and urine concentrations correlate well, but because of greater variation in urine, serum is preferred. 

Increases in both serum and urine TATI are common in ovarian cancer. In mucinous ovarian cancers, approximately 45% of patients have increased TATI in stage I, and 90% to 100% have increases by stage Fifly-five percent to 60% of patients with late stage endometrial cancer have increased serum TATI however, only 20% show an increase in early stages. TATI is increased in cervical cancer, but squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and CEA are better markers. 

TATI in either serum or urine is routinely measured by radioimmunoassay. However, other detection methods have 

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