Differential expression of the cancer-associated antigens T (Thomsen-Friedenreich) and Tn in primary and recurring squamous cell carcinomas of the skin.
The T (Thomsen-Friedenreich) antigen and its precursor, the Tn antigen, are complex mucin-type carbohydrate antigens, the expression of which seems to be correlated with prognosis in some human cancers. We studied comparatively the immunohistochemical expression of these antigens in a series of primary and locally recurring squamous cell carcinomas developing in the skin of immunosuppressed (organ-transplanted) patients. 10/26 tumours were completely unreactive for both antigens; among the remaining cases, 10/14 (71%) of recurring and 6/12 (50%) of primary tumours showed a higher expression of the precursor (Tn antigen) as compared with the T antigen. Since recurring tumours are more likely to spread metastatically, our results upheld the contention that a higher expression of the Tn antigen is correlated with a more aggressive course of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.
Kanitakis
J
J
Ed. Herriot Hospital (Pav. R), Lyon, France. kanitak@lyon151.inserm.fr
al-Rifai
I
I
Euvrard
S
S
Faure
M
M
Claudy
A
A
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000737:chemistry*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*
D015295:Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate; C040286:Tn antigen; C016467:Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen