Expression of the embryonal neural cell adhesion molecule N-CAM in lung carcinoma. Diagnostic usefulness of monoclonal antibody 735 for the distinction between small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer

• Published in: The Journal of pathology Vol. 159; no. 1; p. 23
• Main Authors: Kibbelaar, R E, Moolenaar, C E, Michalides, R J, Bitter-Suermann, D, Addis, B J, Mooi, W J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.09.1989
• Subjects: Antibodies, Monoclonal; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - pathology; Carcinoma, Small Cell - diagnosis; Carcinoma, Small Cell - pathology; Cell Adhesion; Epitopes - analysis; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Lung Neoplasms - pathology
• ISSN: 0022-3417; 1096-9896
• DOI: 10.1002/path.1711590108

Paraffin sections of 19 surgically resected small cell lung carcinomas (SCLC), 33 non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) of various types, and four bronchial carcinoids were immunostained with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) 735 and anti-Leu 7, both recognizing some sugar epitopes present on the neural cell adhesion molecule N-CAM. With MoAb 735, all SCLC were stained focally or diffusely, and one carcinoid was stained focally. Only three of the 33 NSCLC were faintly and focally positive with MoAb 735; these three tumours showed relatively small tumour cells and small, oval nuclei. Anti-Leu 7 stained all the carcinoids, only eight SCLC, sometimes focally, and eight NSCLC. MoAb 735 was thus superior to anti-Leu 7 in distinguishing between SCLC and NSCLE. Since MoAb 735 stained all SCLC strongly and is applicable on paraffin sections, it provides a well-needed addition to the immunomarkers used in the diagnostic distinction of SCLC and NSCLC.