Custom Anti-sLe^A (CA19-9) Antibody Development for Pancreatic Cancer Research

CA19-9 Introduction Service & Workflow Highlights Related Services FAQs Supports

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most significant challenges in modern oncology. Its aggressive nature, late-stage diagnosis, and resistance to standard therapies demand new research tools and novel therapeutic strategies. At the center of this challenge is a complex molecular target: sialyl-Lewis A (sLe^A), the carbohydrate antigen better known as CA19-9 (Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9). For decades, CA19-9 has been used as a clinical biomarker. However, its proper biological role in tumor progression is a rapidly expanding field of study. Researchers now understand that sLe^A is an active participant in cancer cell adhesion, metastasis, and immune evasion. To explore this critical target, you need tools of extraordinary precision. Standard, off-the-shelf antibodies often fall short when targeting complex glycans. This challenge is true for many crucial Tumor-Associated Carbohydrate Antigens (TACAs), from the complex epitopes on aberrant MUC1 glycans to sLe^A itself. Creative Biolabs provides a comprehensive custom anti-TACA antibody development solution: a dedicated, end-to-end service for developing high-affinity, high-specificity custom anti-sLe^A (CA19-9) antibodies. Partner with us to create the exact antibody you need to drive your pancreatic cancer research forward.

schematic diagram of a CA 19-9 sandwich protein microarray on gold nanotriangular substrates, showing enhanced near-infrared fluorescence for pancreatic cancer biomarker detection. (OA Literature) Fig.1 Near-infrared fluorescence immunoassay for CA 19-9 pancreatic cancer biomarker.^1,2

Understanding the Target: Sialyl-Lewis A (CA19-9)

What is Sialyl-Lewis A?

The chemical structure of sLeA (CA19-9). (From Wiki, Public Domain) Fig.2 The structure of sialyl Lewis A (CA19-9).³

Sialyl-Lewis A (sLe^A, CA19-9) is a glycan, or a complex carbohydrate structure. It is not a protein. This is a critical distinction, as developing antibodies against glycans requires specialized expertise. This specific glycan is found on the surface of cells, attached to either proteins (forming glycoproteins) or lipids (forming glycolipids). In healthy adult tissues, sLe^A is expressed at very low levels, primarily in the pancreas, biliary ducts, and stomach lining. CA19-9 was first identified in the early 1980s by an antibody (1116-NS-19-9) developed against a human colon carcinoma cell line. Scientists discovered that this antibody recognized the sLe^A glycan.

The Critical Role of sLe^A (CA19-9) in Cancer Biology

Your research needs powerful tools because sLe^A is a potent molecule in cancer. Its role extends far beyond being a simple biomarker.

A Defining Feature of Pancreatic Cancer

In pancreatic cancer (specifically pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC), the expression of CA19-9 is dramatically upregulated. The molecule is overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells and shed in large amounts into the bloodstream. This shedding is what makes it a useful (though imperfect) serum biomarker for monitoring disease progression. However, for researchers, the sLe^A on the cell surface is the more interesting target. (Know more about CA19-9 as a Pancreatic Cancer Biomarker)

More Than a Marker: An Active Player in Malignancy

Why does pancreatic cancer produce so much sLe^A? Research shows it provides a direct survival advantage to the tumor.

Promoting Metastasis: sLe^A is a ligand that binds to other molecules. Its primary binding partners are proteins called selectins found on the lining of blood vessels. This sLe^A-selectin interaction allows circulating tumor cells to "stick" to blood vessel walls, a critical first step in escaping the bloodstream and forming new tumors (metastasis).
Immune Evasion: The dense layer of glycans on a cancer cell, rich in sLe^A, can physically shield the cell. It can hide protein-based antigens from the body's immune cells (like T-cells), helping the tumor grow undetected.
Driving Tumor Growth: Binding of sLe^A can trigger signaling pathways within the cancer cell that promote proliferation and resistance to cell death.

Relevance in Other Gastrointestinal Cancers

While most famous in pancreatic cancer, sLe^A (CA19-9) overexpression is also a feature of other cancers, making it a valuable target for a broader field of study. These include:

Bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma)
Colon cancer
Stomach (gastric) cancer

The Challenge: Why Glycan Antibodies Are Hard to Make

If sLe^A is such a great target, why isn't the market flooded with perfect antibodies? Targeting glycans is one of the most challenging tasks in antibody engineering. Here are reasons why a generic approach fails. You need a custom strategy, designed from the ground up, with a deep understanding of glycan chemistry and immunology.

Low Immunogenicity

Carbohydrates, unlike proteins, are very poor at triggering a strong immune response. An animal's immune system often ignores them, making it challenging to generate high-affinity antibodies using traditional methods.

Structural Similarity

The body is full of similar-looking glycans (e.g., sialyl-Lewis X, Lewis A, Lewis X). An antibody might bind to the wrong one. This cross-reactivity can ruin experiments and lead to false conclusions.

T-Cell Independent Antigens

Glycans typically do not activate T-cells. This means they do not produce a strong "memory" response, making it hard to achieve the high-affinity antibodies that result from standard protein immunization.

Heterogeneity

The sLe^A glycan can be attached to many different proteins and lipids. The "context" in which it is presented can affect how an antibody binds.

Our Service: A Comprehensive Custom Antibody Platform

We overcome these challenges by combining cutting-edge technology with world-class glycobiology expertise. We offer a full-service pipeline, from antigen design to antibody production and validation, explicitly tailored to your research needs.

Consultation

Antibody Generation

Screening

Validation

Production & Optimization

This is the most critical step. A successful project starts with the right antigen. We do not use a one-size-fits-all approach. We consult with you to design and produce the optimal sLe^A immunogen for your goal. Options include:

Synthetic glycan-carrier conjugates
Custom-designed multivalent neoglycoproteins
CA19-9-expressing whole cell immunogens

We offer multiple platforms to generate the specific antibody format you need.

Technology	Description	Best For...
Hybridoma Development	The classic, gold-standard method for generating high-quality monoclonal antibodies. It produces stable, immortal cell lines for a limitless supply.	IHC, ELISA, Western Blot, and Flow Cytometry. Proven reliability.
Phage Display Platform	A powerful in vitro method. We screen vast libraries of antibody fragments (scFv, Fab) to screen for binders against the sLe^A antigen.	Rapid development, highly specific binders, and generating recombinant antibodies without using animals. Ideal for therapeutic discovery.

Our screening process is designed to eliminate low-affinity and cross-reactive clones from day one. This begins with a direct ELISA to identify binders to the sLe^A-conjugate antigen, followed immediately by a counter-screening against the carrier protein to discard any non-specific hits. The crucial final stage is our key quality step: a glycan array specificity screening. Here, lead candidates are challenged against a comprehensive panel of related structures—including the sLe^A target, common cross-reactants like sialyl-Lewis X, and precursors like Lewis A and Lewis X. Only antibodies demonstrating exquisite specificity for sLe^A advance, and we provide you with the complete data so you can see the specificity for yourself.

We validate the final antibody clones for your specific application.

ELISA: We confirm binding and can test for sensitivity.
Western Blot (WB): We test against lysates from pancreatic cancer cell lines known to express CA19-9.
Flow Cytometry (FACS): We confirm the antibody binds to sLe^A on the live cell surface, which is critical for functional studies.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC): We test on paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue sections from known positive pancreatic cancer tumors.
Immunofluorescence (IF): We provide high-resolution imaging validation.
More applications upon request

Once you approve a final clone, we scale up production to meet your research needs.

Scale-up from milligrams to grams.
Using Protein A/G purification for high-purity.
Isotyping and purity confirmed by SDS-PAGE and HPLC.
We can modify your antibody by creating Fab or F(ab')2 fragments, or labeling with biotin, enzymes (HRP, AP), or fluorescent dyes (FITC).

Why Partner with Us?

We are not just an antibody company. We are a team of biologists, immunologists, and chemists with a special focus on the most challenging targets, like sialyl-Lewis A.

Expertise: We understand the unique chemistry and handling required for glycans.
Customization: You are not locked into a rigid process. We adapt the project—antigen, host, platform—to your exact goal.
Collaboration: You receive regular updates and all validation data. Our PhD-level project managers speak your language and are true scientific partners.
Quality Control: Our rigorous, multi-stage screening process (especially our glycan array) ensures you receive an antibody that is specific and reliable.

Stop struggling with generic, unreliable reagents. To truly understand the role of sialyl-Lewis A in pancreatic cancer, you need a tool as precise and unique as the target itself. Let's build that tool together. Contact our expert team today for a free, no-obligation consultation about your project.

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FAQs

Targeting glycans like sLe^A is notoriously tricky. How do you guarantee specificity against related structures like sLe^X?

Specificity is our highest priority. Our screening process includes a comprehensive glycan array. We test all lead candidates against a broad panel including sLe^X, Lewis A, and Lewis X. Only clones that demonstrate exquisite, specific binding to sLe^A are advanced, and you receive all the data.

What information do I need to provide to start a project?

To begin, we need to understand your primary research goal. This includes your intended application and any specific requirements for host species or antibody format. Your application is critical as it dictates our antigen design and validation strategy.

What specific antigen strategies do you use for sLe^A, since it's a carbohydrate?

Because carbohydrates alone are poorly immunogenic, we use advanced strategies. The most common is using high-purity, chemically synthesized sLe^A glycans conjugated to immunogenic carrier proteins like KLH. We also design multivalent neoglycoproteins or use whole CA19-9-expressing cancer cell lines as immunogens.

Can I get an antibody explicitly validated for flow cytometry on live pancreatic cancer cells?

Yes, application-specific validation is a core part of our service. If your goal is to conduct flow cytometry assays, we will screen and validate the final antibody clones using live pancreatic cancer cell lines known to express high levels of surface CA19-9, such as BxPC-3 or CAPAN-1.

Can you develop matched pairs of anti-sLe^A antibodies for a sandwich ELISA kit?

Absolutely. We specialize in developing matched pairs. Our process involves screening our antibody library to identify two distinct antibodies that can bind to sLe^A simultaneously. We then validate their function as a capture and detection pair, ensuring high sensitivity and specificity for your ELISA.

References:

Alarfaj, Nawal Ahmad, Maha Farouk El-Tohamy, and Hesham Farouk Oraby. "CA 19-9 pancreatic tumor marker fluorescence immunosensing detection via immobilized carbon quantum dots conjugated gold nanocomposite." International journal of molecular sciences 19.4 (2018): 1162. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041162
Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification.
Distributed under Public Domain, from Wiki, without modification.

Supports

For Research Use Only. Not For Clinical Use.

Custom Anti-sLeA (CA19-9) Antibody Development for Pancreatic Cancer Research