Difference in tissue expression of tumour markers CA 19-9 and CA 50 in hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.
The expression of tumour markers CA 19-9 and CA 50, defined by the monoclonal antibodies 1116 NS 19-9 (19-9 antibody) and C 50, was studied by the immunoperoxidase technique in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 11 hepatocellular carcinomas and 10 cholangiocarcinomas of the liver, and from specimens of normal liver and liver cirrhosis. The 19-9 and C 50 antibodies react with sialosylfucosyllactotetraose, corresponding to sialylated blood group antigen Lewis, and the C 50 antibody also with another sugar moiety, sialosyllactotetraose. Neither marker was cancer specific. The CA 19-9 and CA 50 antigens are normal constituents of bile ducts. Nine out of 10 cholangiocarcinomas stained for CA 50, and eight out of 10 for CA 19-9. There was no apparent difference between the staining pattern of CA 19-9 and CA 50. Hepatocellular carcinomas were consistently negative for both markers. Thus, hepatocellular carcinomas and cholangiocarcinomas showed a clear difference in the reactivity for tumour marker antigens CA 19-9 and CA 50. This difference might be of clinical importance in the differential diagnosis between hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.
Haglund
C
C
Fourth Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Lindgren
J
J
Roberts
P J
PJ
Nordling
S
S
D002759:Adenoma, Bile Duct / Q000276:immunology*; D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology*
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor