An Immunofluorescent Study of Tumors with Specific Antisera for Squamous Epithelial Intercellular Substance and Basement Membrane

Abstract

Forty primary and six metastatic neoplasms, principally of noncutaneous origin, were stained by the immunofluorescent technic with antisera from cases of pemphigus specific for the intercellular substance of squamous epithelium. They were also stained with sera from patients with bullous pemphigoid which contained antibodies to squamous epithelial basement membrane. All 18 of the primary and metastatic squamous cell carcinomas studied contained intercellular substance. Of these tumors, 16 were shown to have formed basement membranes. Both intercellular substance and basement membrane substance were clearly seen in some of the epithelial “pearls” in the better-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. Four malignant neoplasms, not of squamous cell origin, also contained intercellular substance.