Increased detection of mammary carcinoma cells in marrow smears using antisera to epithelial membrane antigen.

We have developed a technique for the immunocytochemical staining of marrow smears using antiserum to epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). This membrane component is confined to, but widely distributed in, epithelial tissues and tumours derived from them, and is strongly expressed by infiltrating breast carcinoma cells. Marrow aspirates from patients with both early and metastatic breast cancer have been examined, and the results of immunocytochemical staining compared with conventional cytology and histology.

Localization of human tumour xenografts after i.v. administration of radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies.

A mouse monoclonal antibody (LICR-LON/HT13) has been developed to a cell-surface antigen carried on a human germ-cell tumour xenograft (HX39). After radioiodination, the antibody localized in vivo preferentially in xenografted tumours as opposed to normal mouse tissue, whereas tumor uptake did not occur with normal mouse IgG or nonspecific monoclonal IgG. This selective localization could be abolished by simultaneous injection of an excess of the unlabelled LICR-LON/HT13.

Fibronectin from human germ-cell tumors resembles amniotic fluid fibronectin.

Three human germ-cell tumors established as xenografts in immunosuppressed mice were shown to produce fibronectin. Immunoperoxidase tissue staining with a specific antiserum revealed human fibronectin in some tumor cells. The cyst fluid which accumulated in the tumors contained human fibronectin as shown by a species-specific radioimmunoassay.

Sympathetic activation of brown-adipose-tissue thermogenesis in cachexia.

Tumour-bearing mice spontaneously lose weight 8-9 weeks after implantation of a human hypernephroma, in spite of a normal food intake. Resting oxygen consumption was up to 40% higher in these animals than in sham-operated controls, but was significantly reduced by beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol in the former group. The injection of noradrenaline caused a marked stimulation of the metabolic rate in all the animals, but the greatest response was seen in the cachectic mice.

Localization of human breast-carcinoma xenografts using antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen.

Affinity-purified antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have been injected into immune-suppressed mice bearing xenografts of human breast tumours. It has been shown that the antibodies localized in the tumours but not in normal tissues. The degree of tumour localization correlates with the amount of tumour CEA, and is unaffected by levels of circulating CEA or CEA/anti-CEA immune complexes.

A monoclonal antibody to the murine teratoma, F9: an immunocytochemical demonstration of tissue specificity.

The normal tissue distribution of the antigens recognized by a monoclonal antibody (LICR LON 28/22/23) reacting with a murine teratocarcinoma cell line and the preimplantation mouse embryo is described. The antigen(s) was found to be present in tissues derived from all the germ layers of the embryo, and to be found in the membrane and cytoplasm of cells of different tissues. In stratified and pseudostratified epithelia, of mouse and rat tissues, it was expressed only by the basal cells and it was also found on the myoepithelial cells of the lactating rat breast.

Autoradiographic localization of 3H-diprenorphine in the Syrian hamster.

An autoradiographic technique is reported for the in vivo localization in the Syrian hamster of small doses of the opiate antagonist, 3H-diprenorphine. The regional distribution in the hamster brain was similar to that reported in the rat. The adrenal medulla showed a high degree of localization providing supportive evidence for the presence of opiate receptors in the medulla and a possible paracrine function for opioid peptides in this site.

Establishment and properties of human germ cell tumors in tissue culture.

Monolayer cultures of nine human testicular germ cell tumors have been attempted, and five have been established as proliferating long-term cultures. All five grew in suspension in nutrient agar, but three proliferated in monolayer culture only when in contact with stromal cells derived from the tumors. Two have been established as "pure" lines, and one of these has been cloned.

Toxicity and immunosuppressive activity of binary combinations of 2'-deoxycoformycin and 2'-deoxyadenosine.

Treatment of mice with 2'-deoxycoformycin (dCf) for 5 days produced inhibition of spleen and lymph node adenosine deaminase (E. C. 3.

Monoclonal antibodies to detect human tumours: an experimental approach.

The use of monoclonal antibodies which can be raised to antigens of choice offers a selective and specific approach for the detection of tumours both in vivo and at a cellular level in biopsy specimens. We demonstrate that a monoclonal antibody raised to human teratoma will localise in a teratoma, growing as a xenograft in immune-suppressed mice.

Comparative functional histopathology of human breast carcinoma xenografts.

A series of xenografts of human breast carcinomas has been established and serially transplanted in immune-suppressed mice. Certain structural and functional features of the original human tumours, including carcinoembryonic antigen and epithelial membrane antigen, continue to be expressed by the resulting xenografts. Stromal responses such as elastosis and oestrogen-receptor activity were lost by the xenografts.

Hypothesis: when is a seminoma not a seminoma?

A xenograft line, HX 53, has been established in immune-suppressed mice from a specimen of a lymph node metastasis in a patient with a histological diagnosis of seminoma but with markedly raised circulating levels of alpha-fetoprotein. Histological, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural studies of this xenograft line have suggested that a solid variant of yolk sac carcinoma may exist, which morphologically resembles seminoma, or that a continuum of differentiation exists between seminoma and yolk sac carcinoma.

Helicoidal architecture of fish eggshell.

Previous publications show arced patterns in electron micrographs of either microfibrils or canals in sectioned fish eggshells, but these have been misinterpreted. We show here that such patterns in the inner layer of cod (Gadus morrhua), plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and trout (Salmo gairdneri) eggs arise from a helicoidal structure. This consists of a laminate of protein microfibrils, with the direction of ply processing like the steps of a spiral staircase and with the same sense as a left-handed corkscrew.

CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen): its role as a marker in the management of cancer.

A consensus Development Conference was held at the National Institutes of Health from September 29-October 1, 1980, to address issues concerning the role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a marker in the management of cancer. The panel met following formal presentations and discussions to assess the issues based on the evidence presented. These issues included: Should CEA be used in cancer screening? Is CEA helpful in cancer diagnosis? What does CEA tell about the extent and outcome of cancer? Is CEA helpful in monitoring cancer treatment? This paper constitutes the panel's findings.

Isolation and characterization of a major glycoprotein from milk-fat-globule membrane of human breast milk.

A major periodate--Schiff-positive component from milk-fat-globule membrane of human breast milk has been purified by selectively extracting the membrane glycoproteins, followed by lectin affinity chromatography and gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 in the presence of protein-dissociating agents. The purified glycoprotein, termed epithelial membrane glycoprotein (EMGP-70), has an estimated mol.wt.

N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced rat mammary tumors. Hormone responsiveness but lack of spontaneous metastasis.

N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) given iv to rats 50-55 days old induced mammary tumors in 70% of F344/N and 91% W/ICRF inbred females with mean latency periods of 149 and 93 days, respectively. Reduction of the MNU dose did not affect tumor incidence in W/ICRF rats. Of the mammary tumors, 98% were classified histologically as adenocarcinomas, which grew progressively.

Preparation and identification of human breast epithelial cells in culture.

The routine preparation of gram quantities of lobuloalveolar and ductal structures from human reduction mammaplasties by treatment with collagenase is described. When cultured on plastic or glass surfaces these structures give rise, initially, to epithelial sheets consisting of cells which retain many morphological characteristics of myoepithelial cells and do not stain with an antiserum which reacts with the surfaces of the lining epithelium of breast ducts and lobulo-alveoli. Subsequently, cells which resemble the lining epithelial cells migrate from these structures and react strongly with the antiserum.

Polycyclic hydrocarbon activation and metabolism in epithelial cell aggregates prepared from human mammary tissue.

The metabolism of benz(a)anthracene (BA), 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and benzo(a)pyrene (BP) by human mammary epithelial cell aggregates in culture has been investigated using non-neoplastic tissues obtained from eight patients undergoing reduction mammoplasty. All three hydrocarbons were metabolized to water-soluble and organic solvent-soluble products and the latter included both K-region and non-K-region dihydrodiols. The major dihydrodiols detected as metabolites of the parent hydrocarbons were the 8,9-dihydrodiols of BA and DMBA and the 9,10-dihydrodiol of BP.

Physical test for distant metastases in patients with breast cancer.

Of 312 patients presenting with breast cancer to a single clinic, 297 were screened for metastases in skin and nodes, bone, marrow, liver and lungs, using standard clinical, radiological scanning and cytological techniques. Thirty-four patients were found to have overt metastatic disease using these tests. Metastases were demonstrable on chest X-ray in 6.