Reactivity of a human monoclonal antibody against carcinomas and other lesions of the colon.

To identify tumor-associated antigens that may be immunogenic to man, human monoclonal antibodies (human mAb) were generated by fusing nonsecreting mouse myeloma cells with lymphocytes from regional mesenteric nodes of patients with adenocarcinomas of the colon. One IgG1 human mAb, designated as 14-31-10, was identified by its reactivity against human tumor xenografts. We have studied the reactivity of mAb 14-31-10 with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of human colon. A total of 86 cases were studied, including normal adult and fetal colons, adenocarcinomas of the colon, and a variety of colonic inflammatory diseases and preneoplastic lesions. Intense reactivity was found in 15 of 18 adenocarcinomas of the colon, but not in 10 specimens of normal adult or 4 specimens of fetal colonic mucosa. Interestingly, in four cases of carcinoma, reactivity was also observed in histologically normal mucosa situated 10 cm or more from the primary lesion. On the other hand, no staining was detected in any of the 16 inflammatory lesions. Of the 38 preneoplastic lesions, only 6 showed staining by the mAb: 1 of 5 benign tubular adenomatous polyps, 3 of 9 villous adenomas and tubovillous polyps, 1 of 5 specimens of ulcerative colitis and 1 of 19 specimens of familial polyposis. However, the intensity of staining was only moderate in those cases. Our data, therefore, suggest that the epitope identified by the human mAb 14-31-10 shows preferential expression in preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of the colon, and in ostensibly normal mucosa at some distance from a primary colonic carcinoma. In all instances, the staining was cytoplasmic, suggesting a cytoplasmic or internal membrane location of the target antigen. This antigen appeared to be distinct from carcinoembryonic antigen, since staining by 14-31-10 was consistently different from that of a mouse monoclonal antibody to carcinoembryonic antigen in serial sections of the same specimens. The restricted reactivity of 14-31-10 suggests its potential application in immunohistochemistry. Moreover, the epitope identified by mAb 14-31-10 may be expressed during the progression of normal mucosa to neoplasia.

Modulation of protein expression in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells by in vitro exposure to estradiol and progesterone.

Protein maps of in vitro hormone-modulated adenocarcinoma cells from an endometrial tumor are described. It is noted that mapping of tumor tissues by means of the two-dimensional analysis described by O'Farrell and associates of 35S-methionine-labeled proteins can provide a characteristic map for each tumor and that the methionine-containing proteins of tumor cells can be independently modulated by the in vitro additions of estradiol and progesterone. Such protein modulation could be indicative of hormonal therapeutic responsiveness of individual endometrial adenocarcinomas and other hormone receptor-positive tumors. Tumor maps may further provide data for the identification and isolation of new tumor markers which might be correlated with the radiotherapeutic and chemotherapeutic sensitivity of the malignancy.

Carcinoma in situ of the vagina: past and present management.

The experience of the Southern California Cancer Center with carcinoma in situ of the vagina has been analyzed. Thirty-five patients were treated over 22 years. Patients with carcinoma in situ of the vagina are usually asymptomatic and most often have no visible or palpable lesions; diagnosis therefore depends upon directed biopsy in patients with abnormal routine vaginal cytology. Local radium application was the most frequent modality of treatment in this study group of patients, and excellent results were obtained. The need for cytologic evaluation after hysterectomy is emphasized. Colposcopy is a valuable aid in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.

Stage II endometrial carcinoma: two modalities of treatment.

Forty-five cases of Stage II endometrial cancer are analyzed with regard to histologic grade, therapy, site of recurrence, survival, and cause of death. This group represents 5% of all endometrial cancer patients registered at the Southern California Cancer Center from 1954 to 1974. Thirty-two (71.2%) were classified as poorly differentiated tumors. A significant analysis of survival data comparing the 26 patients treated by RT alone, and 17 patients managed by surgery and RT, could not be obtained because of the small number of patients. However, the frequency of residual tumor in the uterus and intraperitoneal recurrence in the RT only group suggests that RT plus surgery should provide a better survival than RT alone.

Leiomyosarcoma of the long saphenous vein.

An unusual instance of primary leiomyosarcoma of the left long saphenous vein, possibly the tenth recorded case, is presented. Leiomyosarcoma of large veins appears to be a distinct entity, in contrast to the benign counterpart, leiomyoma. The origin of the tumor from the vessel wall, its intraluminal growth, and its ultrastructure are demonstrated. Incidence, sex and age distribution, fate and therapy of patients who have leiomyosarcomas of the large veins gleaned from reported cases in the literature are included.