Presence Of Carcinoembryonic Antigen Research Articles

Investigation of Blood Group Antigens and Carcinoembryonic Antigen in Urinary Bladder Carcinoma

Blood group antigens and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were sought in the tissues of 37 bladder tumor cases using enzyme antibody method. A correlation (p less than 0.01) was found between the extinction of ABO (H) and progressive malignant states of the tumor or invasion stage. Significant correlation (p less than 0.05) was observed between the presence of CEA and the invasion stage. The state of the T antigen, however, did not reflect the malignancy grade or invasion stage. The states of ABO (H) and CEA significantly reflected (p less than 0.05) the prognosis, as did the malignancy grade and invasion stage, while the state of the T antigen did not correlate with the prognosis. Although there was a correlation (p less than 0.01) between the extinction of ABO (H) blood group antigens and the presence of CEA, the state of T antigen did not significantly correlate with ABO (H) antigen or CEA. From what has been mentioned, the search for intratissue ABO (H) antigens and CEA is important and will provide a useful auxiliary means in diagnosing biopsy specimens.

Immunohistochemical markers of sweat gland tumors.

Using immunoperoxidase methods, normal sweat glands, 44 benign and 4 malignant sweat gland tumors were tested for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), pregnancy-specific-B1-glycoprotein (SP1) and actin (ACT). CEA and SP1 stained the secretory and duct-lining cells of normal eccrine glands. Among benign tumors, 74% were positive for CEA and 44% for SP1. The staining reaction was found mainly in luminal secretions and surrounding cells. Staining by SP1 was reduced, but not suppressed, after absorption with the purified antigen. ACT was found in myoepithelial cells of the secretory tract of normal glands and in basal cells of all cases of hidradenoma papilliferum. Only 3 sweat gland carcinomas reacted for CEA. In a malignant chondroid syringoma, no ACT-positive cells were seen in the myxochondroid stroma. The potential value of CEA, SP1 and ACT in the diagnosis of sweat gland tumors is discussed.

Carcinoembryonic antigen levels in colonic lesions

We evaluated the likelihood of tissues to be positive for carcinoembryonic antigen and the intensity of carcinoembryonic antigen staining in specimens of villous adenomas, mixed polypoid villous adenomas, polypoid adenomas, and diverticulitis using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique. The presence of carcinoembryonic antigen could be demonstrated in all of the specimens; however, the intensity of staining varied. Villous adenomas were the most intensely stained, followed by mixed polypoid villous adenomas, polypoid adenomas, and diverticulitis. We conclude that (1) the intensity of tissue levels of carcinoembryonic antigen parallels the malignant potential of these different groups of lesions, (2) carcinoembryonic antigen intensity of mixed polypoid villous adenomas is more similar to villous adenomas than polypoid adenomas, and (3) the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen in diverticulitis is not a result of dysplasia.

Investigation of blood group antigens and carcinoembryonic antigen in urinary bladder carcinoma.

Blood group antigens and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were sought in the tissues of 37 bladder tumor cases using enzyme antibody method. A correlation (p less than 0.01) was found between the extinction of ABO (H) and progressive malignant states of the tumor or invasion stage. Significant correlation (p less than 0.05) was observed between the presence of CEA and the invasion stage. The state of the T antigen, however, did not reflect the malignancy grade or invasion stage. The states of ABO (H) and CEA significantly reflected (p less than 0.05) the prognosis, as did the malignancy grade and invasion stage, while the state of the T antigen did not correlate with the prognosis. Although there was a correlation (p less than 0.01) between the extinction of ABO (H) blood group antigens and the presence of CEA, the state of T antigen did not significantly correlate with ABO (H) antigen or CEA. From what has been mentioned, the search for intratissue ABO (H) antigens and CEA is important and will provide a useful auxiliary means in diagnosing biopsy specimens.

Immunohistochemical localization of carcinoembryonic antigen in carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma of salivary gland: use in the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions.

The localization of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and lysozyme (LZM) was immunohistochemically studied in 34 carcinomas arising in benign pleomorphic adenomas and 25 normal salivary glands in order to assess its potential diagnostic value. CEA in the normal salivary gland was located in luminal cell membranes of intercalated duct cells and serous acinar cells. Strongly positive cell surface and intraluminal staining of CEA appeared in the areas of gland-forming pattern in pleomorphic adenoma. CEA activity was detected in 7/9 cases (78%) of adenocarcinoma, 10/11 cases (91%) of epidermoid carcinoma, 3/8 cases (38%) of anaplastic carcinoma, 5/5 cases (100%) of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and 1/1 case (100%) of adenoid cystic carcinoma. CEA was always present in the cytoplasm of epithelial cells and luminal contents of neoplastic glands. CEA in epidermoid carcinoma may occasionally react strongly in the cytoplasm. Lysozyme-immunoreactivity was detected in the cytoplasm of intercalated duct cells and serous acinar cells of the normal salivary gland but little or no LZM was observed in any of the tumors. These results suggest that the presence of CEA could be a useful marker that provides valuable information for the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant areas of carcinoma in pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland. Moreover, LZM could be of valuable use for discriminating neoplastic from non-neoplastic tissue of salivary glands.

Tissue CEA detection by immunoperoxidase (PAP) test in colorectal polyps: correlations with the degree of dysplasia.

We study the presence of Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on 39 colorectal polyps by the immunoperoxidase technique. The histological examination demonstrated 15 tubular adenomas, one villous adenoma, two tubulo-villous adenomas, six tubular adenomas with slight dysplasia, one tubular adenoma with moderate dysplasia, four tubular adenomas with severe dysplasia, three tubulo-villous adenomas with severe dysplasia, five tubular adenomas with neoplastic degeneration, and two tubulo-villous adenomas with neoplastic degeneration. Twenty-eight of thirty-nine polyps (71.79%) showed a positive staining reaction for CEA. Regarding the intensity of the reaction (classified as absent or negative [-], slightly positive [+], and markedly positive [+ +]), 11/39 polyps presented a negative reaction (28.21%), 19/39 (48.71%) presented a slight reaction, and 10/39 polyps (25.64%) presented a marked reaction. Results demonstrated a higher intensity of the staining reaction in severely dysplastic polyps and in neoplastic degeneration. In conclusion, it is possible that the presence of CEA can be useful to show an initial cellular restlessness of certain polyps.

The value of carcinoembryonic antigen in differentiating sclerosing epithelial hamartoma from syringoma.

We examined 4 cases of sclerosing epithelial hamartoma for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) by the unlabelled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method but could not detect CEA in these lesions. Because syringomas contain CEA, the detection of this antigen is a useful marker for differentiating sclerosing epithelial hamartomas from syringomas.

Histological Markers of Solid Cell Nests of the Thyroid

It was recently demonstrated that C cells, mucosubstances, and the intermediate filament epidermal keratin are present in solid cell nests (SCN) of the thyroid. The reliability and usefulness of these markers in detecting these ultimobranchial nests have, so far, not been comparatively investigated. In the light of this, a study for the presence of these tracers in SCN at different stages of postnatal life was undertaken. The existence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in this gut-derived tissue was also searched for. Epidermal keratin was present in the epidermoid-like cells from all SCN studied; calcitonin-immunoreactive C cells and mucosubstances did not always occur. These findings reveal that this cytokeratin would remain as a potential marker to detect and trace back the ultimobranchial tissue component of the thyroid in earlier stages of development. The presence of CEA in practically all SCN surveyed would further support the view that they originate in the gut. This antigen would also be of great value for histological identification of these nests. The usefulness of these markers for the interpretation of the histogenesis of some ultimobranchial-related thyroid neoplastic growths, specifically the medullary and mucoepidermoid carcinomas, is briefly discussed.

Search for specific markers of neoplastic epithelial duct and myoepithelial cell lines established from human salivary gland and characterization of their growth in vitro.

The neoplastic epithelial duct cells human salivary gland (HSG) and myoepithelial cells human pleomorphic adenoma (HPA) established from human salivary gland were examined by the immunoperoxidase method for the presence of specific antigens such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), S-100 protein, secretory component (SC), lactoferrin (LF), and myosin. Isolation of the cells and their morphologic features were reported previously. Consequently, the presence of CEA, SC, and LF in the HSG cells was demonstrated. The HPA cells were identified to express the specific antigens reactive to anti-S-100 protein, anti-myosin and anti-CEA sera in addition to the presence of oxytocin receptor. When the two cell lines were co-cultured in monolayer culture or within the sponge matrix, a large number of ductlike or tubular structures were formed in an optimal ratio of 1:2 in HSG and HPA cells, whereas the cultures of HSG cells only grew with occasional formation of ductlike structure. In addition, in HSG and HPA cells in an area with their contact in the mixed cultures, CEA staining was intensified as compared with the culture of HSG or HPA cells only and further S-100 protein was detected in HSG cells, whereas S-100 protein was not detected in the culture of HSG cells only. These findings strongly suggest that the intercalated duct and myoepithelial cells from human salivary gland propagate with their interaction together in the expression of specific antigens such as CEA and S-100 protein or in the morphogenesis of salivary gland epithelial cells.

Carcinoembryonic antigen in fetal eccrine glands: an immunohistochemical study.

Developing fetal eccrine glands were examined for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using an unlabeled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase technique and rabbit antibody to human CEA. The earliest sign of commitment to the formation of an eccrine gland was the presence of CEA within a single keratinocyte in fetal epidermis. As the eccrine unit evolved, we found CEA in both acrosyringeal cells and the ductal cells. Although the function of CEA in eccrine gland remains undefined, this substance may play an integral role in the earliest development of the gland as well as in its normal function in the adult.

Carcinoembryonic antigen in gynecologic cancers. Immunohistochemical localization and serum levels.

The presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-dependent fluorescence was observed in almost 89% of female genital tract cancers irrespective of their histologic type. Anti-CEA serum was free of antibody to normal cross-reacting antigen. The high percentage of positive fluorescence tests did not correlate with the preoperative serum CEA levels. Double immunodiffusion tests showed different content of CEA and normal cross-reacting antigen in individual specimens of genital tract cancers.

Carcinoembryonic antigen in skin and related tumours as determined by immunohistological techniques

Common benign skin abnormalities and related tumours were investigated for the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using immunohistological techniques in formalin-fixed tissue. CEA could be detected in all 10 squamous cell carcinomas examined, a finding which contrasted with those in earlier reports. CEA was not seen in normal skin but was present in the skins of 12-18-wk-old fetuses. Hence, CEA can be considered to be a true oncofetal antigen for ectodermal tissue. The antigen was not detected in seborrheic keratoses but was present in all 10 cases of keratoacanthoma. CEA was found in only one out of 10 basal cell carcinomas, the tumour being metatypical (basosquamous) in type. CEA was also observed in the minority of cases of solar keratosis and Bowen's disease. If the presence of CEA in proliferating epidermal tissue is associated with malignant transformation, both solar keratosis and Bowen's disease are indeed premalignant lesions whilst keratoacanthoma is the non-metastasizing variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Finally, the absence of CEA in basal cell carcinoma may help to explain its 'reluctance' to spread by metastasis.

Malignant granular cell tumor

A case of malignant granular cell tumor and its histochemical and electron-microscopic characteristics are reported. This case showed, in addition to the well-known distribution of this type of tumor in subcutaneous fat, mediastinum, retroperitoneum and lungs, multiple foci in the myocardium. Contrary to recent studies reporting the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in benign and malignant granular cell tumors, this case is CEA-negative. We suggest that the reported CEA-reactivity in this type of tumor is probably due to cross-reacting antibodies against antigens, presumably associated with lysosomes.

CARCINO‐EMBRYONIC ANTIGEN (CEA) IN GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMAS

The presence of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) was studied in 92 consecutive cases of gastric adenocarcinoma, using the two-layer conjugated immunoperoxidase technique. Three characteristic patterns of CEA localization were identified. Type I: Intracytoplasmatic granules covering the entire cytoplasm of the malignant cells. Type II. Linear or granular deposits along the glycocalyx or in the apical cytoplasm of the malignant cells. Type III: Tumour cells negative for CEA or only showing a very weak reaction in a few cells. These CEA patterns were significantly related to the histogenetic classification of gastric adenocarcinomas proposed by Mulligan & Rember. The majority of the "mucus cell carcinomas" showed the type I CEA pattern. "Intestinal cell carcinomas" predominantly showed the type II CEA pattern and the "pyloro-cardiac gland carcinomas" the type III CEA pattern. The significance of the CEA patterns in respect of the histogenetic classification is discussed.

Gastric carcinoma with argyrophilic cells: Light microscopic, electron microscopic, and immunochemical study

An immunochemical study of a gastric adenocarcinoma with argyrophilic cells showed two areas of tumor that react differently with the usual histochemical reagents as well as with immune sera against gastrin and mucoprotein associated with antigens. Ninety per cent of the tumor cells were PAS positive and contained M2 antigen, and some also contained M1 antigen. About 30 per cent of the M2-positive cells stained strongly with an antigastrin serum as well as with the argyrophilic reagents. The remaining 10 per cent of tumor cells were signet-ring cells located in several clumps in the tumor. These cells were positive for both PAS and alcian blue and contained intestinal M3 antigen. Forty-five per cent of them also contained M1 gastric antigens. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was found in the cytoplasm of each tumor cell. The presence of CEA and M1 antigen together indicates a fetal pattern, suggesting that the cells originate from very immature gastrointestinal stem cells.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen, secretory component, and epithelial IgA in tubular and villous large-bowel adenomas with different grades of dysplasia.

In a material of 513 consecutively collected large-bowel polyps, tubular and villous adenomas with corresponding histologic grades of epithelial dysplasia were selected. Fifty-two samples of the former and 27 of the latter category were evaluated semiquantitatively for immunohistochemical staining of the epithelial marker proteins carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), secretory component (SC), and IgA. No consistent differences in the overall staining properties were found between the two types of tumours. In both categories the staining intensity for SC and epithelial IgA decreased with increasing degree of dysplasia, most strikingly so for IgA. This observation shows that the malignant alterations impair the capacity of the columnar epithelium to produce SC and to express it as a functional receptor mediating uptake of dimeric IgA. Thus, the absence of epithelial IgA in large-bowel adenomas may be a useful adjunct in grading of dysplasia. Conversely, the presence of CEA did not seem to be related to dysplastic alterations in the epithelium.

Presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in the normal and inflamed human parotid gland. An immunohistochemical study of 31 cases.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was analysed in the human parotid gland. Specimens of 31 normal and inflamed parotid glands were studied by the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The presence of CEA could be demonstrated at the border of the acinar cells and the intercalated duct cells as well as in the undifferentiated duct cells as observed in chronic obstructive parotitis. These observations may explain the presence of CEA in normal human saliva and may provide a new basis for histogenetic interpretation of pathological lesions of the parotid gland, especially of the tumors of the salivary gland tissue.

Demonstration of carcinoembryonic antigen in human breast carcinomas by the immunoperoxidase technique.

Using an antiserum against carcinoembryonic antigen, which was free from non-specific cross-reacting antigen activity, carcinoembryonic antigen has been demonstrated in 45 out of 90 breast carcinomas by an indirect three-stage immunoperoxidase method. The presence of carcinoembryonic antigen appears to be related to good histological differentiation but not to histological type, lymph node metastasis, or recurrence within two years of primary diagnosis. It is suggested that the varying results obtained by different workers may be due to the differing characteristics of the anti-carcinoembryonic antigen serum used.

Oncofetal proteins in marine animals

1. 1. Oncofetal proteins are produced by developing mammalian and avian fetuses. They are also produced in adults with certain types of disease, particularly malignancy. 2. 2. In this study, three common marine animals were tested for the presence of two oncofetal proteins, alpha fetal protein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). 3. 3. The animals were two fish species, Tilapia mossambica and Chanos chanos, and one sea cucumber species, Holothuria cinerascens. The latter, as an echinoderm, is widely considered to be close to the vertebrate evolutionary line. 4. 4. Only CEA (or CEA-like substance) could be quantitatively identified. It was found in one of the fish species and the sea cucumber, in which it was in highest concentration. The presence of CEA or CEA-like substance in these animals indicates it is evolutionarily old. 5. 5. The finding of CEA or CEA-like substance in the sea cucumber suggests: (a) In some malignant as well as nonmalignant disorders, there is not only developmental but also phylogenetic regression. In short, pathology (like ontogeny) may recapitulate phylogeny. (b) The sea cucumber may provide a readily available source of CEA or CEA-like substance for production of test antisera and cancer research.

Immunoperoxidase staining of carcinoembryonic antigen in urinary bladder cancer

An immunoperoxidase study of the presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in primary cancers of the urinary bladder, metastases to the bladder, non-malignant diseased bladder, and normal bladder tissues revealed that approximately 10 percent of the urothelial carcinomas (transitional cell and squamous cell types) contained detectable quantities of this antigen. The other tissues were devoid of stainable CEA. It thus appears that the incidence of positive CEA by immunoperoxidase staining of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour tissue sections is much less than the frequency of blood or urinary CEA elevations in patients with urothelial cancer.