title: Use of monoclonal antibody B72.3 as a marker of metastatic carcinoma cells in neoplastic effusions.
abstract: The value of monoclonal antibody B72.3 as a diagnostic discriminator between mesothelioma and carcinoma cells in malignant effusions was assessed using the ABC method in a series of cell blocks prepared from centrifuged fluids. These were obtained from either pleural or peritoneal neoplastic effusions in patients with histologically verified malignant mesothelioma (n:10) or carcinoma (n:20). Reactivity with MAb B72.3 in at least 10% or more of tumour cells was found in 16 (80%) out of 20 metastatic carcinoma, whereas 2 mesotheliomas displayed positive immunostaining in less than 5% and approximately 20% of the malignant cells respectively. Reactive mesothelial cells were consistently non-immunostained. These results suggest that B72.3 positivity in greater than 10% of tumour cells is certainly indicative, but not absolutely diagnostic, of a metastatic origin of malignant effusions.
authors.affiliation: Service of Pathological Anatomy and Cytopathology, Santo Spirito Hospital, USSL 76, Casale Monferrato, Italy.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Betta
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pavesi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pastormerlo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tallarida
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bellingeri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bocca
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor