Tumor‐Associated Glycoprotein (TAG‐72) in Chronic Submandibular Sialadenitis and Normal Minor Salivary Glands Defined by Monoclonal Antibody B72.3

Abstract

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of three normal minor salivary glands, 10 chronic submandibular sialadenitis, and three normal submandibular glands were studied immunohistochemically using the monoclonal antibody (Mab) B72.3 in order to have a better understanding of the distribution of tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG-72). Diffuse expression of TAG-72 was observed in the mucous cells of normal minor salivary glands, and in the ducts with goblet cell metaplasia and/or hyperplasia of chronic submandibular sialadenitis (eight of 10). Focal expression of TAG-72 was seen in the acinar mucous cells of normal submandibular gland (three of three), and in the mucous cells of normal or atrophic acini of chronic submandibular sialadenitis (eight of 10). These results should be considered in the cytologic diagnosis of the mucoepidermoid carcinoma using the Mab B72.3 as a diagnostic aid, as well as in future studies for the radiation immunolocalization and immunotherapy of submandibular gland tumors.

Tumor‐associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG‐72) expression in salivary gland neoplasia: an immunohistochemical study using the monoclonal antibody (MAb) CC49

“…MAb B 72.3 was found to have a potential utility in several clinical and diagnostic applications in cancer patients although a marked immunoreactivity was observed in some benign tumors (Listrom et al, 1989;Brandwein et al, 1992), inflammatory lesions (Takiyama et al, 1989;Epivatianos et al, 1997) and normal tissues (Thor et al, 1987;Epivatianos et al, 1997). The antigenic heterogeneity was another factor Normal submandibular salivary gland.…”

“…Possibly this difference is due to the different products that the acinar cells produce and secrete. Focal pattern of TAG-72 expression was observed in the mucous acinar cells of the normal submandibular gland and diffuse pattern of expression in the mucous acinar cells of the normal minor salivary glands with the use of B 72.3 (Epivatianos et al, 1997). The results of the present study suggest that the use of MAb CC49 cannot offer aid in the radiation immunolocalization and immunotherapy of some tumors that strongly express TAG-72, such as papillary cystadenocarcinoma, salivary duct carcinoma, and low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma, when localized in the submandibular and sublingual salivary glands.…”