Expression of tumor markers on breast and ovarian cancer cell lines.
BACKGROUND
Breast and ovarian tumor cell lines with defined tumor-associated antigens could serve as allogeneic antigen-sources for the biological therapy of cancer.


METHODS
Eight breast and 3 ovarian cancer cell lines were stained for the antigens in question by immunohistochemistry. Antigen-expression was graded in 5 steps by light microscopic examination.


RESULTS
All cell lines with the exception of PA-1 expressed EMA. Only MCF-7 was CEA-positive. MUC-1 was found in all cell lines apart from MDA-MB and SK-OV3. The highest expression of Her-2/neu was found in ZR-75/1 and SK-OV3. A491D and PA1 cells were CD19-negative, all other lines were positive. Only A491D and BT-20 had p53 accumulation. PR was found in 5 cell lines and ER in 6 cell lines.


CONCLUSIONS
The cell lines investigated express a different pattern of tumor markers. In consequence, a careful examination should be performed in order to find the "best fitting" cell line to a patient's tumor for a tumor-vaccine.
Kämmerer
Ulrike
U
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wuerzburg, Germany. frak057@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
Thanner
Florian
F
Kapp
Michaela
M
Dietl
Johannes
J
Sütterlin
Marc
M
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D014746:Vimentin