Tn, a carcinoma-associated antigen, reacts with anti-Tn of normal human sera

Cancer. 1985 Feb 1;55(3):561-9. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19850201)55:3<561::aid-cncr2820550315>3.0.co;2-1.

Abstract

Tn antigen is the immediate precursor of the carcinoma (CA)-associated T antigen; both are masked in non-CA tissues. Tn antigen was detected by absorption of human anti-Tn antibody in 46 of 50 primary breast CAs and in all 6 metastases originating from Tn-positive primary CAs. Thirteen of 25 (52%) anaplastic CAs, but only 2 of 15 (13%) well differentiated CAs had more Tn than T; 1 anaplastic CA had neither antigen. Eighteen of 20 benign breast lesions had no Tn; the 2 positive lesions were premalignant. All 19 breast CAs, studied immunohistochemically, reacted strongly with human polyclonal anti-Tn; benign or normal glandular tissues had minimal or no reactivity. Among live cancer cell lines, the most malignant sublines had more Tn than T on their cell surfaces. Preliminary studies with rodent monoclonal anti-Tn and anti-T antibodies gave immunohistochemical reactivity patterns similar to those of the polyclonal antibodies, but the former were less sensitive in absorption tests. Tn is a CA marker that promises to be useful in tumor detection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antigen-Antibody Reactions
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology*
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate*
  • Antigens, Viral, Tumor / immunology
  • Blood Group Antigens / immunology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Carcinoma / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / immunology
  • Cell Line
  • Female
  • Hemagglutination Tests
  • Histocytochemistry
  • Humans
  • Immunochemistry
  • Immunosorbent Techniques
  • Lymphoma / immunology
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / immunology
  • Mice
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Rats

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Antigens, Viral, Tumor
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Tn antigen