Lewis a antigen in transitional cell tumors of the urinary bladder

Abstract

The failure of A,B,H antigens as prognostic parameters in noninvasive bladder cancer of blood group O individuals, who constitute 44% of the population, encouraged the evaluation of the closely related Lewis a antigen. Ninety-three tumors of the urinary bladder were stained employing the Tween 20 (Merck)- modified immunoperoxidase staining technique and serial dilution of monoclonal anti-Lewis a antibodies. On the basis of recent findings in non-neoplastic ureter urothelium of erythrocyte Le^a+b−, Le^a-b+, and Le^a-b− individuals, alterations in tumors, except eight from Le^a-b− individuals, were quantified on a scale from 0 (normal) to 3 (total loss). Scores were related to the pathologic stage and grade (P < 0.01), and, in stage P, tumors, to the clinical course: recurrence rate (P < 0.10), stroma invasive recurrence, and/or papillomatosis (P < 0.05). Although further studies are needed the current study points to Lewis a antigen determination as an advantageous prognostic tool in stage P_a tumors of the urinary bladder of Le^a-b+ and Le^a+b− individuals, who, together, constitute 94% of the population. Cancer 58:222–228, 1986.