Histocompatibility antigen expression in pulmonary carcinomas as indication of differentiation and of special subtypes

• Published in: Cancer 1990-05, Vol.65 (9), p.1942-1954
• Main Authors: Dämmrich, J., Müller‐Hermelink, H. K., Mattner, A., Buchwald, J., Ziffer, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - immunology; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Small Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Small Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology; Cell Differentiation; Female; HLA Antigens - analysis; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Lung Neoplasms - immunology; Lung Neoplasms - pathology; Lymphatic Metastasis - immunology; Male; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Mitotic Index; Neoplasm Staging; Pneumology; Prognosis; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(19900501)65:9<1942::AID-CNCR2820650912>3.0.CO;2-6

In 70 human carcinomas of the lung the expression of histocompatibility antigens (HLA) was investigated by using monoclonal antibodies in frozen sections. The immunoreactive tumor volume was determined morphometrically. The tumor types showed a different pattern of HLA expression. In squamous cell carcinomas (SQC) and small cell carcinomas (SCC) the HLA‐A,B,C expression varied in a great range from 0% to 100% of positive tumor volume. For the most part, HLA‐DR was not demonstrable. In adenocarcinomas (AC) and large cell carcinomas two different populations were observed. One showed a pattern of HLA expression as seen in SQC. Electron microscopically these AC (type I) (AC/I) were characterized by intracytoplasmic mucin granules indicating a phenotypical relationship to goblet cells. The other–nearly 50% of adenocarcinomas and one third of large cell carcinomas–expressed both HLA antigens homogeneously in the total tumor volume. Electron microscopically the characteristics of type II pneumocytes and Clara cells were seen in tumor cells of these AC (type II) (AC/II), consisting in lamellar bodies and apically located electron‐dense granules. In SQC and AC/I a significant correlation was found between grades of differentiation and mitotic activity on the one side, and expression of HLA‐A,B,C on the other. The loss of HLA‐A,B,C expression seemed to be an indication of a lower grade of differentiation: the smallest expression of HLA‐A,B,C occurred in SCC.