Specific red cell adherence testing of benign and malignant lesions of the urethra

Immunohistological detection of T antigen and ABH blood group antigens in upper urinary tract tumours

The status of T antigen was assessed by means of peanut agglutinin (PNA) used in an immunoperoxidase technique, and the status of ABH blood group antigens was determined by the specific red cell adherence (SRCA) test. Thirty-eight patients with upper urinary tract tumours were examined. Our data indicated that T antigen status did not correlate with conventional prognostic indicators such as grade and stage of tumour and survival of patients, while the expression or deletion of ABH blood group antigens did correlate well. It was concluded that ABH blood group antigen determination might provide a useful prognostic probe in upper urinary tract tumours should it find clinical application.

A, B, O(H) blood group antigen distribution in normal skin and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis

The distribution of A, B, O(H) blood group antigens was studied in paraffin sections of 4 and 11 specimens, respectively, of normal skin and squamous cell carcinoma of the penis using specific red cell adherence (SRCA) test. In the normal skin of the penis the antigens appeared on the uppermost cornifying layers, while basal and malpighian layers were devoid of antigens. In squamous cell carcinoma of the penis the antigens were either absent or confined only to the epithelial pearl formations. Each of the 4 normal skins and 3 of the 11 carcinomas were antigen positive. As the blood group antigens were frequently absent in patients with carcinoma of the penis regardless of the tumor grade and stage as well as patient's condition, they lack the power to discriminate invasive potential.