[Adhesion molecules in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx: possible indication of prognosis].

Thirty patients with laryngeal tumors were divided into two groups on the basis of whether clinical and pathological features indicated good or bad prognosis. Samples of each tumor group were selected and examined by immunohistochemistry using mAbs, raised against integrin chains (beta 1, beta 4, alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 6) and their ligands laminin 1 and 5, collagen type IV, two fibronectin isoforms (ED-A and ED-B) and two isoforms of tenascin known to be associated with neoplasm. Controls were provided by samples of tumor-free laryngeal mucosa removed during the surgical procedure.

Expression of antigens associated with the individual stages of the inflammatory response in child and adult as a possible distinctive method for recurrent and chronic tonsillitis.

Monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for the antigens associated with each stage of an inflammatory response were assayed with tonsillar mononuclear cells (TMNG). MoAbs BMA 27 E 10 and BMA 4 D 10 were used as markers for the early stages, BMA RM 3/1 for the intermediate stage, BMA 25 F 9 for the late stage, and BMA G 16/1 for the chronic stage. TMNC were obtained from patients operated for (1) recurrent tonsillitis with hypertrophy caused by common flora (children); (2) an indication for surgery for chronic tonsillitis in adults; (3) patients who were 'warm' tonsillectomized for a second peri-tonsillar phlegmon.

Significance of adhesion molecules as biological prognostic factor in locally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Thirty laryngeal carcinomas were studied immunohistochemically in order to evaluate whether the expression and different distribution of adhesion molecules influence the clinical features and progression of the tumors. On the basis of clinical and pathological variables, two different groups were established: one with good and the other with poor prognosis. The patients were included in one of the two groups on the basis of prognostic factors previously studied by multivariate analysis (the validity of this choice was confirmed by the NED survival curves of the two groups).

Are recurrent and chronic tonsillitis different entities? An immunological study with specific markers of inflammatory stages.

It seems that there are clinical differences between tonsillitis in children and adults. In order to verify whether such a supposed clinical subdivision be true, tonsillar mononuclear cells from 20 children operated on for recurrent tonsillitis caused by a common flora and 20 adult patients with an indication for surgery for chronic tonsillitis were studied by means of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for the antigens associated with each stage of the inflammatory response. BMA 4D10 and BMA 27E10 MoAbs were used as markers for the early stages, BMA RM 3/1 for the intermediate stage.

Integrin expression in head and neck cancers.

Neoplastic transformation results in rearrangement of the cell membrane with a breakdown of the regular expression of adhesion molecules such as integrins. A relationship may exist between the intensity of this alteration, and the form it takes, and a tumour's ability to metastatise. We studied this possibility by investigating the epithelial integrin expression of 35 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.