Evaluation of an antibody to human milk fat globule antigen in the detection of metastatic carcinoma in pleural, pericardial and peritoneal fluids.
An antibody to human milk fat globule-2 (HMFG-2) antigen was investigated to assess its value in detecting tumors in pleural, pericardial and peritoneal fluids. One hundred forty consecutive fluids were evaluated using the avidin-biotin complex (ABC) technique. Conventional cytology and HMFG-2-stained smears were compared using the former as the standard for tumor detection. Discrepant results were found in 15 specimens (8 false negatives and 7 false positives). Causes for discrepancy between the methods included lack of HMFG-2 antigen on tumor cells, random sampling error and endometrial cells ectopically located in the pelvic cavity or introduced during uterine instrumentation. We conclude staining for HMFG-2 may be a useful adjuvant technique for the detection of rare tumor cells in body fluids provided there is a high index of suspicion of metastasis from an HMFG-2-positive primary neoplasm.
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000473:pathology*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018396:Mucin-1; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000473:pathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000941:Antigens; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018396:Mucin-1