Paul A. Morse

Further observations on Fc receptors in human malignant tissue and normal lymphoid tissue

Twenty human malignant solid tumors of various histologic types were tested for the presence of Fc receptor using cryostat sections or single cell suspensions of fresh tissue. Sheep erythrocytes sensitized by various amounts of rabbit IgG antibodies served as indicator cells (EA). All tumors possessed Fc receptor, but to varying degrees; eight reacted more strongly than normal spleen without any relation to histologic type. The tumors which gave the strongest reactions in sections also formed the highest percent of EA rosettes in suspensions, thus indicating surface localization of receptors. The reactions with spleen sections localized to the B cell and monocytic areas; the latter also showed high avidity in reactions with uncomplexed IgG. Rabbit antisera to tumors, spleen, and peripheral lymphocytes (polyvalent ALS) inhibited the reactions, while a T‐cell‐specific ALS did not. Absorptions of the antisera with lymphocytes or tissue sediments of spleen and tumors removed the inhibiting activity, but sediments of muscle and kidney only reduced the titers. Again, results with spleen sections paralleled those obtained with tumor sections. Apparently, the tumor Fc receptor is very similar to the Fc receptors present in normal lymphoreticular tissues.

Serum antibody in patients with mammary disease

Antibody to a breast cancer antigen was detected by immunodiffusion or complement fixation in at least one serum sample in 46% of 84 patients with a diagnosis of carcinoma, 34% of 96 patients with fibrocystic disease, and 25% of 44 patients with fibroadenoma. A single serum sample obtained from screenees of the Detection Center for Breast Diseases was tested by immunodiffusion only, and antibody was found in 3 of 206 screenees (1.5%). Eleven of 13 patients with breast cancer metastatic to lymph nodes and no detectable serum antibody either had recurrence or were dead within 12 months of mastectomy. Fifteen of 18 patients with breast cancer metastatic to lymph nodes and with detectable serum antibody were alive and free of disease for up to 24 months. Data to date indicate that serum antibody in the patient with breast disease cannot be used at this time as an “early detection test.” As a seroprognostic factor in patients with breast cancer metastatic to lymph nodes, the finding of antibody has great promise.

Correlation of circulating serum antibody to the histologic findings in breast cancer

Abstract In the Kansas Breast Study, the presence of circulating antibody to breast cancer antigen(s) has been demonstrated in 35 per cent of patients with carcinoma of the breast. Histopathologic studies have shown a positive correlation between those with positive antibody and the degree of lymphoid infiltration in the tumor and sinus histiocytosis in the lymph nodes. Both of these features are associated with an improved prognosis in patients with breast cancer. This study supports theories relating these histologic features to host-tumor defense mechanisms initiated by the lymphatic-reticuloen-dothelial system. Already, within three years, there is evidence to suggest that the presence of circulating antibody is associated with delay in recurrence of disease, as shown in those patients who had positive nodes at the time of surgery.

Serum Antibody in Patients with Breast Disease: Correlation with Histopathology

Antibody to a breast cancer antigen was detected by immunodiffusion or complement fixation in at least one serum sample in 46% of 84 patients with a diagnosis of carcinoma, 34% of 96 patients with fibrocystic disease and 25% of 44 patients with fibroadenoma. A single serum sample obtained from screenees of the Detection Center for Breast Diseases was tested by immunodiffusion only and antibody was found in 3 of 206 screenees (1.5%). Eleven of 13 patients with breast cancer metastatic to lymph nodes and no detectable serum antibody either had recurrence or were dead within 12 months of mastectomy. Fifteen of 18 patients with breast cancer metastatic to lymph nodes and with detectable serum antibody were alive and free of disease for up to 24 months. Histologic slides from patients with a diagnosis of fibrocystic disease or fibroadenoma were reviewed for the presence of ductal epithelial hyperplasia. Ductal epithelial hyperplasia was present in a similar per cent of patients with no detectable serum antibody as those with antibody detected in the serum. Severe sinus histiocytosis of the axillary lymph nodes was present in 45% of those cancer patients with serum antibody and only 11% of those cancer patients with no detectable serum antibody.