Differential diagnosis of malignant lymphoma and nonlymphoid tumors using monoclonal anti-leucocyte antibody (original) (raw)

Pathologic samples from 34 cases of human solid malignancies were tested for reactivity with monoclonal anti-human leucocyte antibody, designated 2DI. This antibody detects a human leucocyte antigen (HLe-I) that is expressed strongly on B and T lymphoid cells and weakly on early hemopoietic cells, but is not found on normal mesenchymal and epithelial tissues. This study demonstrates the use of this reagent in cryostat sections of tumor samples using indirect immunofluorescence in combination with other lymphoid markers such as anti-T cell serum, anti-Ia-like serum (detecting p28, 33 "B cell associated" membrane antigen) and antisera to different immunoglobulin isotypes. Tumor cells from all 12 cases of epithelial malignancies and sarcomas were HLe-I-although adjacent (normll) lymphoid cells showed strong positive staining. In contrast, 20 cases of lymphoma (B-as well as T-cell types) were HLe-I+. Two other malignancies involving the lymphoid system were HLe-I-and failed to express any of the other lymphoid markers tested. Cancer 46:2640-2647, 1980. LTHOUGH HISTOPATHOLOGIC DIAGNOSIS of human A solid malignant tumors can usually be made confidently, a proportion of cases present difficulties even to experienced morphologists. Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which diffusely replace normal tissue architecture, may be difficult to distinguish morphologicly from undifferentiated metastatic carcinomas. ' This distinction is of clinical significance, since the response of these malignancies to therapeutic efforts is different. Recent advances in immunologic techniques have enabled a more precise identification of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Cytoplasmic immunoglobulin (Ig) can frequently be demonstrated by immunoperoxidase technique in paraffin-embedded tissues. * Bradstock, Beverly, and Janossy. Unpublished observations. 23. Weissman IL, Warnke R, Butcher EC, Rouse R, Levy R. The lymphoid system. Its normal architecture and the potential for understanding the system through the study of lymphoproliferative diseases. Hum Pathol 1978; 9:25-45. 24. Winchester RJ, Ross GD, Jarowski CI, Wang CY, Halper J, Broxmeyer HE. Expression of la-like antigen molecules on human granulocytes during early phases of differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1977; 74:4012-4016. 691587-593. 298~481-486.