lewis-x-antigen and Uterine-Cervical-Neoplasms

The expression of 4 kinds of carbohydrate antigens, CA50, CA19-9, sialyl SSEA-1, and DU-PAN-2 was studied immunohistochemically in 15 normal cervical squamous epithelia and 49 cervical carcinomas. (1) In normal epithelia, CA50 and CA19-9 were expressed in all cell layers and all cell layers except for the basal layer, respectively, and a gradual decrease in the intensity of staining was observed in the upper layer. Sialyl SSEA-1 was expressed only in the superficial layer, but DU-PAN-2 was not found in any normal epithelia. (2) In cervical carcinomas, CA50, CA19-9, sialyl SSEA-1 and DU-PAN-2 were observed in 51.0%, 49.0%, 55.1% and 26.7%, respectively. (3) The number of Ki67 positive cells tended to be lower in the area with sialyl SSEA-1 immunostaining. (4) In the cases in which sialyl SSEA-1 positive cells were distributed diffusely in cancer nests, the incidence of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher. These result suggest that the expression of CA50, CA19-9 and sialyl SSEA-1 is related to the differentiation of normal squamous epithelial cells, and sialyl SSEA-1 may be related to cell differentiation also in cervical carcinomas, and the features of its expression may be useful in predicting the biologic properties of cervical carcinomas.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antigens, Neoplasm; Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Differentiation; Cervix Uteri; Epithelium; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Lewis X Antigen; Middle Aged; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

The recognition of an adhesive role for the CEA-related antigens emphasizes the need for clear demonstration of the changes in CEA expression and subcellular localization between normal and neoplastic tissues. Using a panel of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, membranous and cytoplasmic CEA expression was seen in 50 invasive cervical squamous carcinomas in four distinct patterns dependent on tumour type and differentiation. Membranous CEA expression is a marker of differentiation in squamous carcinomas and may influence tumour behaviour and hence patient survival. Strong CEA positivity was seen on the endothelium of vessels containing tumour in ten cases where vascular metastases were prominent. Staining of these ten cases revealed concomitant sialated Lewis X positivity in tumour cells with weak endothelial positivity in three cases; cervical squamous tumour cells may localize to vascular endothelium, and hence disseminate, through specific binding of CEA and/or sialated Lewis X.

Topics: Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cell Membrane; Cytoplasm; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Humans; Lewis X Antigen; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Sialyl SSEA-1 antigen (SLX) is a highly specific tumor marker composed of sugar chain antigens that have Lewis X at their terminals and bind to sialic acid. This antigen is rarely detected in normal tissues, and is present in adenocarcinoma and fetal tissues. We studied the clinical usefulness of SLX in gynecological patients and obtained the following results. (1) The antigen was frequently positive in patients with ovarian cancer with a mean of 89.5 +/- 48.3 U/ml (72.8%, 8/11) and in those with endometriosis with a mean of 39.8 +/- 10.3 U/ml (75.0%, 6/8). (2) Among the gynecological malignancies, the percent positivity was low in those with cervical cancer (20.0%, 5/25), endometrial cancer (33.3%, 1/3), and cancer of the fallopian tube (33.3%, 1/3). (3) The antigen was negative in 20 with myoma uteri, 20 normal pregnant women, and 9 nonpregnant healthy women during the follicular, luteal, or menstrual phase. It was negative in 8 of 9 patients with benign ovarian cyst. False negative results were rare. (4) The SLX level was higher in the ascites than in the serum in patients with ovarian cancer and in those with benign ovarian tumors. (5) The serum SLX in patients with ovarian cancer, which was positive before tumor resection, became negative 2 weeks postoperatively. These results suggest that SLX is a tumor marker with a high specificity to adenocarcinoma of the reproductive organs.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Antigens, Neoplasm; Biomarkers, Tumor; Endometriosis; False Positive Reactions; Female; Genital Diseases, Female; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Glycolipids; Humans; Lewis X Antigen; Menstrual Cycle; Middle Aged; Myoma; Ovarian Neoplasms; Pregnancy; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms

Topics: Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; Antigens, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Lewis X Antigen; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

The staining patterns obtained with antiepithelial membrane antigen (anti-EMA) and the monoclonal antibody to 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine (AGF 4:48) in the uterine cervix in intraepithelial and invasive neoplasia were compared to determine a possible role in differential diagnosis of reactive and neoplastic conditions. Both early invasive and in situ adenocarcinoma stained equally intensely with both agents and both antibodies stained diffusely tubal metaplasia, endometrial lined glands, and even occasional areas of normal endocervical mucosa. It is concluded that these agents are unlikely to be of use in the routine histological differentiation of glandular and squamous cervical dysplasia or neoplasia, but immunostaining with anti-EMA may help differentiate between reactive and metaplastic changes in endocervical glands and adenocarcinoma in situ.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Neoplasm; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma in Situ; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Humans; Lewis X Antigen; Membrane Glycoproteins; Metaplasia; Mucin-1; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

The CD 15 antigen (3-fucosyl N-acetyllactosamine), present on the outer cell membrane of cervical squamous epithelial cells, is recognized by the monoclonal antibody MC2, which is similar to several commercially available antibodies. Staining sections of cervical biopsies with MC2 clearly demonstrates the zone of supra-basal differentiated cells in the normal squamous epithelium. Staining with MC2 also demonstrates the diminished proportion of this zone occurring with grades of CIN, reflecting progressive de-differentiation of the epithelium. In immature squamous metaplastic epithelium, absence of cytoplasmic differentiation is reflected by lack of staining. As expression of the CD 15 antigen by cervical squamous cells mirrors cytoplasmic maturity and is a marker of cellular differentiation, staining colposcopic biopsies with MC2 may aid the routine histopathological grading of CIN. A comparison is made between the staining pattern observed using MC2 with that of two commercially available antibodies (Leu M1 and Dako M1), and a possible role for the CD 15 antigen in cellular adhesion in squamous mucosae is discussed.

Topics: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Neoplasm; Antigens, Surface; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell Differentiation; Cervix Uteri; Female; Humans; Lewis X Antigen; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor in two colon carcinoma lines and in one vulval carcinoma line tested contains carbohydrate determinants that are recognized by monoclonal antibodies to tumor-associated antigens. These antibodies are directed to sialylated Lea and to difucosylated structures of the Y type. Cell lines which react with these antibodies express these antigens on their surface glycolipids and glycoproteins, including the EGF receptor. These unusual carbohydrates are absent in EGF receptors from normal untransformed cells, and from tumor cells which do not express these specific antigens. Although EGF receptor represents only 0.1-2% of total plasma membrane proteins of antigen-positive carcinomas, it accounts for 20-80% of total protein-associated sialylated Lea/Y type of nonsecreted carbohydrates present in these cells. The results of cell-binding, immunoprecipitation, and Western blot analyses of the antigen-positive carcinomas indicate that sialylated Lea/Y type of antigenicity is intrinsic to the EGF receptors of these cells, and that the antigen is present in receptors from both over-expressing and normal-expressing carcinomas.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Neoplasm; Carbohydrates; Carcinoma; Cell Line; Colonic Neoplasms; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Epitopes; ErbB Receptors; Female; Glycolipids; Humans; Lewis Blood Group Antigens; Lewis X Antigen; Melanoma; Membrane Proteins; Mice; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms; Vulvar Neoplasms