The natural history of antitumour immunity in human breast cancer assayed by tube leucocyte adherence inhibition

The specificity of the tube LAI in breast cancer was examined in a study with coded samples of PBL. In addition, 64 patients with breast cancer had their LAI reactivity monitored and correlated with their clinical status for up to 3 years after mastectomy. When patients were assayed by tube LAI, 83, 72, and 29% with Stage I, and II and III breast cancer respectively were positive. In Stage IV brest cancer, 88% of those with local recurrence and 15% of those with disseminated cancer were positive. By contrast, 3% of control subjects were LAI+. A select group of patients admitted to hospital with suspicious breast lumps that histopathologically proved to be benign breast disease (BBD) had a higher incidence of LAI+ (12%), whereas of outpatients with BBD only 2% were LAI+. Most breast cancer patients LAI reactivity became negative 2--4 months after mastectomy, even when some harboured micrometastases. LAI reactivity remained absent in those patients who remained clinically "cancer-free". In the follow-up patients, LAI activity returned about 4 months before local recurrence. LAI reactivity was observed in 7/8 patients in the coded study and 14/15 patients in the follow-up study preceding and/or at the time of local recurrence. A few patients (15%) progressed to widespread cancer without preceding positive LAI activity. The results suggest that tumour-specific immunity rapidly fades after surgery and may play no role in the rejection of micrometastases by 6 months after surgery. In addition, the present study has shown that the human hose manifests tumour-specific immunity when the cancer is small, and suggests that the early detection of human cancer would depend upon reliable methods to measure the tumour-specific immune response.

[A family with an "Hm" phenotype transmitted over 3 generations]

Hm phenotype represents a dissociation between a normal salivary expression of H substance and a very weakened expression of the antigen on red blood cells. Genetic analysis of the reported family reveals a dominant inheritance: Some members (Marie K..., Francette, Carmen) present a phenotype marked by a normal H enzyme but a deficient H antigen in erythrocyte membrane. Others Alice, Mathilde) have no expression of A1 antigen due to H substrate deficiency. H substance in salivary secretion is normal. In the other branch of this pedigree without consanguinity, Herbert presents an H substance deficiency, though quite different, as A1 antigen is expressed. In this family, Hm phenotype can be explained, without resorting to a Zm allele, by the expression of an exceptional allele at the H locus (like Am is an ABO allele). This hypothesis supports the possible polymorphism of H locus.

Normal blood group B antigen and B transferase activity in a patient with IgM autoanti-B agglutinin

Studies carried out on the red cells of a patient with autoanti-B agglutinin gave further evidence that it is probably not modified red cell antigens which cause autoantibody formation.

[Quantitative and thermodynamic study of B antigen in a family including individuals with phenotypes B 3 and AB 3]

Four B3 and one A1B3 erythrocyte samples belonging to the same family were studied using several series of quantitative measurements: percentage of agglutination, agglutination kinetics and thermodynamic methods. For this last assay the erythrocytes were used fresh and after treatment by formalin. From the obtained results evidence was given that while B antigen density was lower in A1B3 than in B3O cells, the reactive structure is qualitatively the same in these two kinds of cells. The enthalpy change of the reaction of this B3 antigen with a non stimulated anti-B from A1O individual was -- 5,000 cal/mole, i.e. weaker than when normal B cells were concerned (-- 16,000 cal/mole).

Inheritance of cis-AB in three generations (family Lam.)

In a case of disputed paternity genetic incompatibility was observed in the ABO blood group system between mother (O) and child (AB). From biostatistical evaluation of 21 genetic markers, including HLA phenotypes, a high value of probability for paternity, maternity and parentage was found between the child, the child's mother, the accused man and his mother. Substitution of the newborn was thereby excluded. The serostatistical evaluation of maternity and paternity could be supported by anthropological opinion. In serological investigations of the ABH system the A and B antigens of the 'A2B' cells were found to be abnormal in the child, the child's father, and the father's mother: the A was weaker than normal A1 but stronger than normal A2; the B was found to be abnormal which in addition was documented through occurrence of irregular anti-B antibodies in the child. In comparison to normal controls (A1, A2, B, A1B, A2B) diminished activity of alpha-D-N-acetylgalactosamine and alpha-D-galactosyltransferase were observed in the three 'A2B' propositi. These facts confirmed the existence of a cis-AB gene in the Lam. family which the child inherited from her father and the child's father from his mother. Assuming a population frequency of 1.1 X 10(-5) for the cis-AB gene, the probability for paternity was calculated from all genetic markers to be W = 99.9999985%.

An unusual case of leukemia with high fetal hemoglobin: demonstration of abnormal hemoglobin synthesis localized in a red cell clone

A high level of fetal hemoglobin was found in an 8-yr-old boy without any hematologic disorders except for a moderate anemia. The absence of hemoglobin abnormalities in the parents led us to suspect a latent malignant disease that, on follow-up, was confirmed to be myelomonocytic leukemia. Hemoglobin biosynthetic studies provided evidence of unbalanced synthesis of globin subunits by reticulocytes, while the production of non-alpha chains was equal to that of alpha chains in bone marrow cells. The expression of red cell antigen i was increased, while those of I, A, and A1 antigens were found to decrease progressively. Two populations of erythrocytes, A-positive and A-negative, were distinguished and could be separated by differential agglutination. Unbalanced globin chain synthesis, increased fetal hemoglobin, and antigenic changes of the membrane were shown to be restricted to the A-negative population. The biologic data were not entirely consistent with a genuine reversion to fetal erythropoiesis. The question remains of a polychromosomal lesion of either quiescent F cells or adult stem cells.

Pipazethate--acute childhood poisoning

A previously healthy child who who had accidentally ingested an unknown quantity of 20-mg tablets of pipazethate developed severe acute poisoning with neurologic, metabolic, and cardiovascular disturbances. She recovered with symptomatic and supportive therapy.

Quantitative and thermodynamic studies of erythrocytic ABO antigens

This paper presents recent data from quantitative and thermodynamic investigations on A and B erythrocyte antigens. In regard to weak A phenotypes on the basis of quantitative data, practically no gap is observed from the weakest Aend to the strongest A3. Weak B phenotypes give a similar distribution. However, a more precise structural analysis including kinetics and thermodynamic measurements provides convincing evidence for the heterogeneity of each type of weak B reactive structures. Weak B antigens appear to be different from one to another, but similar inside one family. However, thermodynamics failed to demonstrate a qualitative difference between the weak B antigen in BX groups and the enhanced B antigen in ABX heterozygote, phenomenon that occurs in some very rare families. The same data were obtained from kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of B reactivity in cis AB samples; it can be assumed that such mutants are all different.

[Cad antigen in the French population]

An investigation of Cad phenotypes in the French population had been carried out in 1973, in four Blood Transfusion Centers (Mulhouse, Nancy, Paris, Versailles), B and O red cells were tested with the Dolichos Biflorus lectin. Out of 78.528 donors, 56 were found to have the Cad antigen on their red cells. The mean frequency was 0,07%. Nevertheless, this frequency varied among the four above mentioned Blood Transfusion Centers: the observed differences were probably due to the preparation procedure of the Dolichos biflorus extract. The family investigation permitted the analysis of four families with at least three Cad individuals. The independence of the Cad system and of Auberger, Gc, Hp, C'3, PGM, Pac and ADA was demonstrated. A quantitative agglutination study on these Cad samples using the Dolichos biflorus lectin,and a selected AB serum showed a high variability of the erythrocyte Cad Strength, even within one family. Most Cad samples were found polyagglutinable when a sensitive technique and selected AB sera were used. All adult sera contained an anti-Cad1 antibody, except Cad1 individuals. Although strong Sda reactivity was always found in Cad red cells, the anti-Cad and anti Sda specificities were not identical: this was demonstrated by the absorption and inhibition tests of anti-Cad and anti-Sda reagents absorption and inhibition tests of anti-Cad and anti-Sda reagents with Sda material. From thf Cad red cells, there was no evidence of the existence of separable anti-A1 and anti-Cad agglutinins in the Dolichos biflorus lectin.

An unusual Rh phenotype indicating heterogeneity of the Cw antigen

A family is reported in which a new Cw antigen occurred in two generations. This was recognized by 17 anti-Cw sera, but by none of the 21 anti-C sera which were, however, shown to react strongly with common Cw+ cells. This unusual finding provides evidence that the Cw antigen is in fact heterogeneous. On the basis of data obtained from absorption-elution and coagglutination studies a tentative explanation is attempted: common Cw+ phenotypes are assumed to be Cw (+1+2) and the present phenotype Cw (+1-2). Anti-Cw sera should accordingly be anti-Cw1, whereas anti-C sera should only react with Cw2.

An auto-anti-b in an a1b person. Serological studies

The serum of a patient (Mr. Lat) with the regular blood group A1 B contains an anti-B reacting with all cells having a B antigen except Bx and cis AB. The anti-B reacts at 4 degrees C and occasionally at room temperature as shown by agglutination, absorption-eluction and by thermo-dynamic assays. The antibody is regarded as an irregular autoantibody belonging to the group of the so called "suppressed" or "latent" antibodies.

Allergenicity and immunogenicity of Basidiomycetes

Species selected from six families of the class Basidiomycetes were evaluated for allergenicity in atopic and nonatopic individuals and for immunogenicity and antigenic cross-reactivity in experimental animals. Between 42% and 68% of atopic asthmatics demonstrated positive Type 1 wheal-and-flare skin reactivity to basidiomycete metabolic and somatic antigens. Sixty-four percent of skin test-positive atopic asthmatics exhibited positive RAST to as basidiomycete metabolic antigen and 50% were positive to somatic antigen. Negative RAST results were obtained in all nonatopic control sera. Only an occasional individual demonstrated positive serum antibasidiomycete precipitins by counterimmunoelectrophoresis. All basidiomycete species studied were highly immunogenic in the rabbit and most appeared to contain an electrophoretically heterogenous group of antigens with predominant anodal mobility. Ouchterlony double-diffusion analysis employing hyperimmune rabbit antisera indicated the presence of shared antigens among all basidiomycete species with the exception of Pleurotus. Rabbit antibasidiomycete sera did not cross-react with antigens of several common species of the Fungi imperfecti. Results indicate that many atopic asthmatics of the Gulf South area demonstrate IgE-medicated hypersensitivity to basidiomycete antigens as evidenced by positive wheal-and-flare skin reactivity and/or RAST. Basidiomycetes are also immunogenic in the rabbit and possess antigens that do not cross-react with those of certain Fungi imperfecti.

Hepatocyte population dynamics during hydrocortisone and thioacetamide treatment

The orderly organization in a number of discrete classes of weight persists in the hepatocytes during acute and chronic poisoning with thioacetamide and during a prolonged treatment with hydrocortisone, though many striking cytological and structural changes occur in the liver. The number of hepatocyte classes decreases under hydrocortisone treatment and during acute and chronic thioacetamide poisoning, and increases during recovery after acute thioacetamide poisoning and during the late phases of chronic thioacetamide poisoning. This is due to decrements and increments in dry mass of the hepatocytes, which occur by steps, through repeated losses and additions of a constant amount of solids substantially corresponding to the class period. Such a mechanism is similar to that acting in the hepatocyte atrophy due to starvation and in the hepatocyte enlargement occurring during postnatal development. Therefore, the increment and the decrement in dry mass by defined steps takes place in the hepatocytes in both physiological and pathological conditions.

[Quantitative and qualitative study of ABH antigens of cis AB blood group]

Fourteen cis AB blood samples belonging to 6 families from Belgium, France, Japan and Germany were studied with quantitative agglutination and fixation assay. Results showed that ABH antigens of cis AB erythrocytes significantly differ from "trans" AB controls: the H amount is higher than in trans AB and similar to that of A2 controls; the A amount is similar to that of A2 cells; the number of A sites per cell as measured with a 125-I labelled IgG anti-A from a rabbit ranges from 170 000 to 580 000 in cis AB samples; the A1 reactivity seems to be related to the A antigen density of erythrocytes more than to a specific A1 antigen; the B reactivity is quite normal with immune anti-B sera but weak with naturally-occurring anti-B from A individuals. The reaction of B antigen of cis AB cells with a naturally-occurring anti-B from an A1O person exhibits a weaker enthalpy change than in trans AB cells. Most cis AB sera have anti-B activity, essentially at 4 degrees C. In saliva A and H substances are found in normal amounts but B substance is only evidenced by inhibition of autologous cells agglutination. Data obtained from this study do not favour any proposed hypothesis to explain the cis AB gene formation (crossing-over between A and B genes or A gene mutation).