Expression of the nuclear oncogene p53 in colon tumours

The nuclear tumour antigen p53 is expressed by a gene localized on the p-arm of human chromosome 17, a region frequently deleted in colon carcinomas. Using a monoclonal antibody to p53 antigen, immunohistochemical analysis of carcinomas and dysplastic tubular adenomas of the colon has been performed to study the relation between p53 expression and dysplasia or malignancy. With this methods p53 was detectable in 55 per cent of colon carcinomas (n = 29). In 8 per cent of adenomas (n = 74), focal nuclear p53 expression was found in dysplastic epithelial cells. In general, these p53-positive regions of the polyps were histologically indistinguishable from the neighbouring tubuli. Sometimes the p53-positive nuclei were found in a focus of more highly dysplastic epithelium. The results suggest that expression of the p53 gene may be part of the process of malignant transformation of dysplastic colon polyps.

Minor salivary gland tumors. A histologic and immunohistochemical study

Clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical data were reviewed and evaluated on 238 oral minor salivary gland tumors. Benign neoplasms accounted for 65% of the total. Pleomorphic adenomas were the most common of all neoplasms, and mucoepidermoid carcinomas were the most frequently encountered malignancies. Pleomorphic adenomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas stained positive for S-100 protein. Immunohistochemistry was believed to be of potential assistance in diagnosis of salivary gland tumors and in prediction of histogenesis.

DNA content and the adenoma-carcinoma sequence in the colorectum

DNA content was measured in 269 benign adenomas and 203 adenocarcinomas of the large bowel by flow cytometry. Nuclear suspensions were prepared by pepsin digestion of paraffin sections, and an adjacent section was graded histologically by one observer. Aneuploid adenomas included five of 134 (4%) showing mild dysplasia, 19 of 107 (18%) showing moderate dysplasia, and 10 of 28 (36%) showing severe dysplasia. The association between aneuploidy and grade of epithelial dysplasia was highly significant. This gives support to the adenoma (dysplasia)-carcinoma hypothesis. Carcinomas showing aneuploidy included 18 of 29 (62%) well differentiated, 92 of 144 (64%) moderately differentiated, and 19 of 30 (63%) poorly differentiated cases. There was no relation between aneuploidy and grade of carcinoma. These findings indicate an important biological difference between adenoma and carcinoma.

Expression of glial filament protein (GFP) in nerve sheaths and non-neural cells re-examined using monoclonal antibodies, with special emphasis on the co-expression of GFP and cytokeratins in epithelial cells of human salivary gland and pleomorphic adenomas

We describe two novel monoclonal antibodies specific for glial filament protein (GFP), i.e., GF12.23 and GF12.24 (both IgG2a]. These cross-react over a broad range of species with epitopes located in the alpha-helical rod domain typical of all intermediate filament (IF) proteins. These monoclonal antibodies were used, in conjunction with other monoclonal GFP antibodies, rabbit antiserum to GFP, and various antibodies to other cytoskeletal proteins, to examine the occurrence of GFP in cells outside of the central nervous system of rodents, cows, and humans. We detected some scattered GFP-containing cells in the neural sheaths in some species but not in others, and we obtained different results when comparing the rabbit antisera with the monoclonal GFP antibodies. In the enteric glia of rats, we observed GFP-positive cells with all of the antibodies used, whereas in human intestine, the various monoclonal antibodies showed no reaction with any intestinal cells. Similarly, no GFP was detected in surface cells of the lens of cows and rats using any of the GFP antibodies, whereas some reaction was seen in murine lens tissue. We were also unable to detect GFP-positive cells in human, bovine, or rat liver with any of the monoclonal antibodies, which is in contrast to the reactivity of the rabbit GFP antisera with some stellate perisinusoidal cells of rat but not bovine or human liver. The possible reasons for the discrepancies between the different species and the different antibody preparations used are discussed. In addition, using double-label immunofluorescence microscopy, we showed that normal human parotid glands contain a certain type of epithelial cell that co-expresses cytokeratins and desmosomal proteins with GFP. The histological distribution of these GFP-positive cells suggests that they represent a subset of the myoepithelial cells present in this tissue. Cells co-expressing cytokeratins and GFP - in some cases, apparently together with vimentin as the third IF protein present - were also identified in tumors derived from this salivary-gland epithelium, i.e., pleomorphic adenomas, in which GFP-positive cells were relatively frequent in the myxoid and chondroid components, thus confirming the work of other investigators. Possible implications for the concept of histogenesis of these tumor cells are discussed, as are possible mechanisms resulting in the co-expression of IF proteins.

Expression of oncogenes in thyroid tumours: coexpression of c-erbB2/neu and c-erbB

The receptor-type oncogenes c-erbB2/neu and c-erbB have been found amplified and/or overexpressed in a number of tumours of epithelial origin. We have studied the expression of oncogenes in biopsies from human thyroid tumours. The c-erbB2/neu and c-erbB oncogenes showed two- to three-fold higher levels of RNA in papillary carcinomas and lymph node metastases as well as in one adenoma when compared to non-tumour tissue. The nuclear oncogenes c-myc and c-fos were found to be expressed at varying levels in both non-tumour and tumour tissue. RNA transcripts specific for the platelet-derived growth factor A and B chains and the N-ras oncogene were detected in one anaplastic carcinoma. Neither rearrangements nor amplifications of oncogenes were observed in the thyroid tumours. These data are particularly interesting in light of the recent findings that epidermal growth factor induces proliferation and dedifferentiation of normal thyroid epithelial cells in vitro. We suggest that the epidermal growth factor or other ligands for the c-erbB and c-erbB2/neu receptors may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of the malignant phenotype of papillary carcinomas of the thyroid.

Pituitary adenomas in old age

Pituitaries obtained at unselected autopsies of 152 men and women over 80 years of age, dying of different diseases, have been investigated histologically by using various staining procedures, including the immunoperoxidase technique. In 20 pituitaries, 22 adenomas were found providing evidence that these tumors are common in aging subjects. In 9 adenomas out of 17 cases, the immunoperoxidase technique revealed the presence of prolactin, indicating that prolactin-producing adenomas constitute the most frequently occurring pituitary tumor type in old age. The presence of growth hormone was demonstrated in one adenoma which also contained prolactin. No storage of ACTH, FSH, LH or TSH was found in the tumors. The biologic behavior of pituitary adenomas disclosed as incidental findings in old age remains to be elucidated. These neoplasms may have a slower growth rate, but more work is required to establish whether they differ from those found in younger age groups.

Expression of the growth hormone variant gene in human placenta

Besides the hGH-N gene, which codes for the pituitary 22 and 20K GH variants, the human genome contains a second GH gene, namely the GH-V, which has been thought to be silent. We recently discovered a placental variant of human growth hormone (hPGH), which appears in maternal serum at mid-pregnancy and which rises in concentration thereafter to term. As hPGH and GH-V proteins display very similar characteristics, including a high affinity for hepatic GH receptors, they could be identical. To verify this hypothesis, we sought hGH-V mRNA in placenta. Hybridization experiments were performed between dot-blotted mRNA originating either from placenta or from one pituitary hGH secreting adenoma and synthetic polynucleotide probes corresponding to specific portions of the hGH-V or hGH-N gene sequences. The results indicate that the V gene is indeed expressed in the placenta and, at a very low level, in the pituitary adenoma. Therefore hPGH is most likely the expression product of the hGH-V gene.

The presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein in the human pituitary gland

The presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was studied in human pituitary glands with the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Positive reaction was observed in cells and processes of the neurohypophysis, in occasional cells lining the Rathke's cysts of the pars intermedia, and in scattered star-shaped cells and small follicles of the pars distalis. GFAP immunoreactivity was sparse and variable in amount from case to case. An increase in GFAP-immunoreactivity was observed as a reaction to injury. GFAP-positive cells were seen within and around pituitary adenomas regardless of their secretory cell type. Evidence is presented to indicate that these cells do not contain conventional pituitary hormones. It is postulated that the GFAP-positive cells of the pars distalis are nonsecretory elements, identical to the folliculostellate cells. They may become visible by immunostaining following increased synthesis of GFAP. The latter may be a response to cell injury or metabolic changes in adjacent secretory elements. A similar reaction in pituicytes may explain the appearance of immunoreactive GFAP in the neural lobe. The presence of GFAP in the adenohypophysis suggests that some of their cells are neuroectodermal in origin.

The expression of different intermediate-sized filaments in human salivary glands and their tumours

The intermediate-sized filaments can be divided into several groups which are characteristic of different types of tissues (e.g.: epithelial, mesenchymal, muscle, astrocytic and neural origin). Antibodies specific for some of these filament types have been used to analyse a group of salivary gland tumours. Prekeratin-positive cells were seen in the normal gland, cystadenolymphomas, mucoepidermoid tumours, and squamous cell carcinomas which are all tumours of epithelial origin. The pleomorphic adenomas showed the presence of some cells which appeared to contain both prekeratin and vimentin. The results are discussed with respect to their histogenetic implications.

Argyrophilic breast carcinomas: evidence of lactational differentiation

Twenty unselected breast carcinomas were examined for argyrophilia by the Sevier-Munger stain and for dense-core secretory granules by electron microscopy. All cases were examined for lactalbumin and five cases were also studied for gastrin, insulin, calcitonin, somatostatin, glucagon, ACTH, prolactin, and pancreatic polypeptide by an immunoperoxidase technique; two cases were further analyzed for lactalbumin by ultrastructural immunoperoxidase stain. Focal or diffuse argyrophilia was present in ten cases. Intracytoplasmic lactalbumin was present in seven of these cases, but immunoperoxidase staining for the neuroendocrine hormones was negative. Fine structural examination demonstrated varying numbers of 95 to 450-nm-diameter, round, membrane-bound, dense-core secretory granules in 13 cases. Nine of the granule-containing cases were also argyrophilic, and seven of these contained intracytoplasmic lactalbumin. Both the argyrophilia and the dense-core secretory granules thus correlated with the presence of intracytoplasmic lactalbumin. None of the 20 patients had clinical evidence of carcinoid syndrome or showed evidence of other hormone secretion. Argyrophilia and granular lactalbumin staining in a somewhat similar pattern was found in pregnant and lactating breast controls. Argyrophilia and ultrastructural dense-core granules are common in breast carcinomas and might represent lactational differentiation. These findings do not indicate the presence of a carcinoid tumor because in most of these tumors the secretory granules appear to contain milk protein secretory product rather than neuroendocrine polypeptides, and most argyrophilic tumors do not morphologically or clinically resemble carcinoid tumors.

A parallel study of the roentgen anatomy of the sella turcica and the histopathology of the pituitary gland in 205 autopsy specimens

To further elucidate to what extent minor sellar roentgenological changes imply the presence of a microadenoma or other histopathological findings in the pituitary gland, an autopsy series of 205 cases was investigated. Plain sellar films and multidirectional tomograms in frontal and lateral projections were obtained and the pituitary gland was histopathologically examined after being serial sectioned. Sloping of the sellar floor amounting to 2-14 degrees was found in 39 cases and minor cortical changes and configuration variations (locally thinner cortical layer, erosion and bulging) were seen in 23 cases. Histopathology revealed a solitary tumour in the anterior lobe in three cases and focal nodular hyperplasia in a fourth case. The diameter of these nonencapsulated 'adenomas' varied between 3 and 5 mm. Small cysts were a fairly common finding and fibrous tissue was present in about every second gland. No correlation was found between the roentgenological changes of the sella and histopathological findings in the gland. It was concluded that the type of roentgenological sellar findings described should be considered as normal variations without pathological significance when diagnosing a pituitary microadenoma.

Immunohistochemical detection of the ras oncogene p21 product in an experimental tumour and in human colorectal neoplasms

The monoclonal antibody Y13 259 to the ras oncogene protein product p21 was used in an immunohistochemical study of ras expression in human colorectal neoplasms. The ability of the antibody to detect enhanced levels of ras expression was confirmed by its use with an experimental neoplasm known to express ras at high levels. Human colonic adenocarcinomas in general showed a similar staining intensity to that seen in normal mucosa. Adenomas however showed consistently high p21 expression as indicated by staining intensity. This suggests that elevated ras expression may be important in the development of adenomas, but that high levels need not be sustained in the conversion to invasive carcinoma.

Direct measurement of the precursors of adrenocorticotropin in human plasma by two-site immunoradiometric assay

An immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) for the direct measurement of the precursors of ACTH in unextracted human plasma has been developed and evaluated clinically in normal subjects and patients with disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The IRMA is based on an iodinated monoclonal antibody to ACTH and a monoclonal antibody to gamma MSH coupled to Sephacryl S300. The assay detects only peptides containing both epitopes, i.e. POMC (31K) and pro-ACTH (22K). The reference standard was partially purified POMC from culture medium of human corticotroph adenoma cells. The detection limit (greater than +2.5SD of the 0 standard) was 2.0 pmol/L and the within-assay coefficient of variation was less than 10% between 29 and 2600 pmol/L. Plasma concentrations of ACTH precursor peptides in 11 normal subjects sampled at 0930 h ranged from 5-34 pmol/L. The concentrations in the patient groups studied were: 260-2300 pmol/L in 5 patients with the ectopic ACTH syndrome associated with small cell lung cancer, less than 2.0-104 pmol/L in 10 patients with pituitary-dependent Cushing's disease, 23 pmol/L in a patient with Nelson's syndrome, and 3.0-230 pmol/L in 5 patients with Addison's disease. We conclude that this IRMA offers a simple and reliable method for measuring ACTH precursors in unextracted plasma. The proportionately greater elevation of ACTH precursors compared to ACTH in patients with the ectopic ACTH syndrome associated with small cell lung cancer but not in pituitary-dependent Cushing's syndrome, suggests that this assay may be clinically useful.

Expression of keratin 19 distinguishes papillary thyroid carcinoma from follicular carcinomas and follicular thyroid adenoma

Keratin expression with the use of chain-specific monoclonal antikeratin antibodies was investigated in normal thyroid tissue (n = 4), colloid nodules (n = 19), follicular thyroid adenomas (n = 18), follicular carcinomas (n = 10), and papillary carcinomas (n = 12). Frozen sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies M20 (keratin 8), M9 (keratin 18), and LP2K (keratin 19) with the use of the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. The immunohistochemical findings showed that the expression of keratins 8 and 18 was equally extensive in all normal, benign, and malignant lesions tested. In contrast, different staining patterns were observed with the use of monoclonal antibody to keratin 19. Follicular carcinomas were only focally stained with this antibody or were not reactive at all. Keratin 19, however, was present in all the tumor cells of papillary tissues and in a moderate amount of cells of nonneoplastic thyroid lesions and follicular adenomas. In papillary carcinoma, an identical homogeneous expression of keratin 19 was observed in both papillary and follicular structures, which suggests a common cellular origin. These results show that immunohistochemical staining with the use of monoclonal antibody against keratin 19 is useful to distinguish papillary thyroid carcinomas from follicular adenomas and follicular thyroid carcinomas.

Immunohistochemistry of folliculo-stellate cells in normal human adenohypophyses and in pituitary adenomas

Presence and distribution of S-100 protein (S-100), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), cytokeratin polypeptides, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, actin, lysozyme and pituitary hormones (prolactin, hGH, ACTH, beta-FSH, beta-LH, beta-TSH, alpha subunit) in folliculo-stellate cells (FSC) were studied in seven normal human pituitary glands and 28 pituitary adenomas using peroxidase-antiperoxidase and the avidin-biotin immunohistochemical techniques. Approximately 5% of the cells of the adenohypophysis were agranular, non-hormone-producing FSC most of which showed a conspicuous and strong reaction with S-100 antibodies but some were, in addition, GFAP- and vimentin-positive. In contrast to endocrine cells (EC), FSC were not decorated by antibodies to NSE or cytokeratins. In addition to supportive functions, these cells, due to their close special relationship to EC, seem to have transport and other metabolic functions yet to be elucidated. By their S-100 reactivity and their distribution FSC are comparable to glial cells of the central and Schwann and satellite cells of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as well as to supportive cells in neuroendocrine organs and related tumors (e.g., pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas, carcinoids). With one exception, S-100 reactive FSC were not found in pituitary adenomas. The immunohistochemical demonstration of S-100 protein in pituitary tissue is, therefore, a reliable aid in the discrimination between adenomas and normal pituitary tissue, particularly in small and poorly preserved specimens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Intermediate filament expression in normal parotid glands and pleomorphic adenomas

A comparative immunohistochemical study of intermediate filament expression in normal parotid glands and pleomorphic adenomas (PA) was performed using material fixed in a modified methacarn fixative. The normal myoepithelial cells of acini stained only with monoclonal antibodies 312C8-1 (cytokeratin (CK) 14) and 4.62 (CK 19) while myoepithelial/basal cells of ducts also reacted with antibodies 8.12 (CK 13, 16), 8.60 (CK 10, 11, +/- 1), and PKK1 (CK 7, 8, 17, 18). Normal duct luminal cells showed a different CK profile, reacting consistently with ECK, a polyclonal antibody to epidermal prekeratin (CK 3,6), and monoclonal antibodies 4.62, PKK1 and 8.60. In PA, tumour cells at the periphery of ducts, in solid areas, and at the edge of myxoid regions all had CK profiles similar to normal myoepithelial/basal cells except that antibody 4.62 was generally negative. Vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were uniformly negative in normal parotids but showed variable (often strong) reactivity with some cells in chondroid, myxoid and solid areas of PA. A surprising feature of most PA was the variability of CK subtype expression not only from one case to another but also within morphologically similar areas of the same specimen. These results suggest that the morphology of PA is the result of diversity of tumour cell differentiation rather than the processes implicit in a reserve cell histogenetic model.

An immunohistochemical study of pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary gland: glial fibrillary acidic protein-like immunoreactivity identifies a major myoepithelial component

An immunohistochemical study of 34 pleomorphic adenomas of the major salivary glands demonstrated phenotypic differences among the various morphologic regions in these tumors. The phenotypes expressed were comparable to those of normal salivary gland cells. In the normal glands, myoepithelial cells were immunoreactive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100 protein, and keratin; acinic cells exhibited strong, predominantly nuclear S-100 staining and weaker keratin staining; intercalated ducts had both cytoplasmic and nuclear S-100 positivity; and several epithelial antigens were observed throughout the ductal system. In the tumors, the presence of classic epithelial markers (including carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, secretory component, and keratin) in the luminal cells of ducts and the intense immunoreactivity with GFAP (with weaker keratin and S-100 staining) in periductal and stromal cells indicated distinct epithelial and myoepithelial differentiation. Solid epithelioid areas consisted phenotypically of intercalated duct/acinic cells and/or myoepithelial cells, the former exhibiting predominant nuclear S-100 positivity. The presence of GFAP-like immunoreactivity in normal myoepithelial cells strongly supports the extensive involvement of this cell in pleomorphic adenomas. The spectrum of phenotypes expressed adds weight to existing evidence for pleomorphism rather than a mixed origin of this tumor. The combination of keratin, S-100, and GFAP immunostaining is particularly useful in identifying the component cells in pleomorphic adenomas of the salivary glands.

Prognostic significance of alpha-1-antitrypsin in early stage of colorectal carcinomas

We have previously shown that human colorectal carcinoma cell lines, RCM-1 and CoCM-1, synthesize alpha-1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) in culture. We have studied immunohistochemically the incidence of alpha 1-AT on histologic sections from paraffin-embedded tissues of surgically resected colorectal carcinomas and their metastatic foci, polypectomized adenomas, and normal mucosae. alpha 1-AT was detected in 89 (61%) of 145 carcinomas (including 14 carcinomas in adenoma), and 12 (39%) of 31 adenomas. But only 2 (4%) of 55 normal colorectal mucosae were positive for alpha 1-AT. In metastatic tumor cells of colorectal carcinomas in lymph nodes and other organs, alpha 1-AT positivity was 60% and 82%, respectively. The incidence of alpha 1-AT was markedly higher in advanced adenocarcinomas than in early ones and more frequent in adenocarcinomas of right side (including transverse colon) than those of left side and rectum, regardless of their histological malignancy grades. In mucinous carcinomas the frequency was greater (8 of 9 cases) than in conventional adenocarcinomas. Clinical follow-up of the patients with colorectal carcinomas suggested that alpha 1-AT positivity in Dukes' stage A/B tends to correlate with unfavorable prognosis irrespective of the grade of histologic differentiation of carcinoma, but there is no significant relation in Dukes' stage C/D. Our findings suggest that alpha 1-AT in colorectal carcinoma is related to the invasive and metastatic capacity. It may thus serve as a biologic marker for prognosis of colorectal carcinomas at relatively early stages (Dukes' stage A/B).

Multihormonal pituitary adenomas

66 pituitary tumors detected at autopsy were investigated for the presence of corticotropin, beta-lipotrophin, growth hormone, prolactin, thyrotropin and gonadotropins by immunocytochemistry. 56 tumors contained hormone-producing cells; 45 were found to contain 2 or more hormones. This finding confirms and extends previous morphologic and clinical observations. The majority of pituitary tumors are mixed and they probably arise from impaired regulation at the hypothalamic and/or pituitary level.

In vivo MR spectroscopic imaging of the adrenal glands: distinction between adenomas and carcinomas larger than 15 mm based on lipid content

The usefulness of MR spectroscopic imaging for discriminating between lipid and water was applied to the in vivo differentiation of adrenal adenomas from carcinomas. By using the Dixon sequence in 20 patients, the lipid content of 22 adrenal tumors larger than 15 mm was determined. The mean percentage of lipid in 15 adenomas was 13.4% (standard deviation, 8%), compared with 3.5% lipid (standard deviation, 2%) in seven carcinomas. Only one lesion would have been misclassified on the basis of in vivo measurements of lipid content. After surgery, in vitro MR spectroscopy was used to determine the percentage of lipid in excised samples of nine of the 22 tumors. These in vitro measurements confirmed the in vivo results on lesions larger than 20 mm in diameter. Respiratory artifacts appeared to decrease the accuracy of in vivo measurements in smaller lesions. In vivo MR spectroscopic imaging of adrenal tumors appears to be useful for differentiating between adrenal carcinomas and adenomas.

Microgravimetric analysis of human brain tissue: correlation with computerized tomography scanning

Microgravimetric technique was used to measure the water content of tumors and adjacent brain. Multiple 1-cu mm samples were obtained from 17 patients with neurosurgical lesions. The site of each sample was located on the appropriate computerized tomography (CT) slice, and the water content correlated with the CT attenuation coefficient. The water content of peritumor white matter in 11 patients with glioblastomas was 5% to 8% H2O/gm tissue greater than the water content of white matter measured in three normal control individuals. These areas corresponded to low CT attenuation coefficients (8 to 15 EMI units). There was no statistically significant differences between the water content of tumors and adjacent white matter, even though the CT attenuation coefficient of the tumor was often at higher value. Low CT attenuation coefficient areas surrounding meningioma, metastasis, and lymphoma always correlated with elevated water content. The greatest water content (84.7% H2O/gm tissue) was found in the white matter surrounding an arteriovenous malformation. There was no correlation between the CT attenuation coefficient of this tissue and the water content in the arteriovenous malformation. This study shows that areas of low CT attenuation coefficient may correlate with measurements of the water content of tissue, but that increased water content may exist without demonstrable changes in the CT attenuation coefficient.

Transsphenoidal surgery for acromegaly--long-term results in 100 patients

A series of 100 patients with acromegaly who were operated on using the transsphenoidal microsurgical approach is presented along with a review of the literature. Emphasis is placed on long-term follow-up to assess the value of the technique. The authors caution against early normalization of growth hormone as a criterion for biologic cure in that cases of late recurrence are presented. It is proposed that 5 ng/mL baseline growth hormone values with normal dynamic testing is the most reliable way to ascertain biologic cure. Using these criteria, a cure rate of 78% for enclosed and 33% for invasive adenomata was obtained. No long-term recurrence was seen in patients considered cured along these lines.

Estrogen receptors in normal salivary gland and salivary gland carcinoma

To access for possible hormone dependence, 19 samples of normal salivary gland tissue and 14 samples of salivary gland carcinoma were quantitatively analyzed for estrogen receptor (ER) content. A receptor protein content of greater than or equal to 1 fmol/mg of cytosol protein was considered positive. Ten (77%) of 13 histologically normal samples, and four (80%) of five tumor samples obtained from male patients contained ER by this criterion, as did five (83%) of six normal samples and eight (88%) of nine tumor samples obtained from female patients. Mean ER concentrations plus or minus SE in male-derived samples were 2.02 +/- .42 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for normal tissue and 4.35 +/- 1.5 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for tumor tissue; mean ER concentrations in female-derived samples were 3.48 +/- 1.1 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for normal tissue and 12.64 +/- 6.4 fmol/mg of cytosol protein for tumor tissue. Four of eight tumors in women had levels considered to be "hormonally dependent" in breast carcinoma. These findings indicate that salivary gland carcinomas may be hormone-dependent.

Glycoprotein abnormalities in colonic carcinomata, adenomata, and hyperplastic polyps shown by lectin peroxidase histochemistry

A technique for lectin-peroxidase histochemistry was adapted for the study of formalin fixed paraffin embedded colonic tissue. Ten lectins with differing carbohydrate binding specificity were tested against 20 normal rectal biopsy specimens and tissue from 19 colonic carcinomata, 19 tubular or tubulovillous adenomata, and 19 hyperplastic polyps. None of the normal rectal biopsy specimens bound the lectins peanut agglutinin (PNA), Griffonia simplicifolia II (GSII), and Ulex europaeus I (UEAI), whereas 18 carcinomata, 12 adenomata, and 18 hyperplastic polyps showed affinity for one or more of these lectins. Hyperplastic colonic polyps are shown to possess similar abnormalities in glycoprotein structure to malignant and adenomatous colonic tissue. This may simply indicate a non-specific reaction to changed rates of cell proliferation but might represent a more fundamental association between hyperplastic polyps and adenocarcinomas.