title: Blood group MN antigens and precursors in normal and malignant human breast glandular tissue.
abstract: Blood group M and N active substances were demonstrated in human mammary gland tissue in both benign and malignant lesions. The precursor T (Thomsen-Friedenreich) antigen occurred only in cancerous tissue, where it was found regularly in the 15 gross cancers tested. The precursor Tn antigen also was found regularly in cancerous breast tissue; Both antigens were reactive in breasts with in situ carcinoma. The T antigen was not demonstrable in the 6 benign mammary glands studied; similarly, the Tn antigen was unmasked by sialidase treatment of healthy breast tissues. Anti-T antibody, present in all human sera, was severely depressed in many breast cancer patients compared to controls.
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D001940:Breast / Q000276:immunology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000276:immunology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007519:Isoantigens / Q000032:analysis*; D009439:Neuraminidase / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001789:Blood Group Antigens; D007519:Isoantigens; D009439:Neuraminidase