Reactivity of monoclonal antibodies with ganglioside antigens in human small cell lung cancer tissues

Abstract

Gangliosides on tumor cells have been suggested as potential target antigens for specific immunotherapy in various types of cancer including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). In this study we have compared the expression of three gangliosides that have been described as tumor-associated antigens, FucGM1, GM2 and GD3 in SCLC tissue specimens collected at autopsy, using a double-layer immunofluorescence staining method and specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) directed against these ganliosides. We found expression of FucGM1, GD3 and GM2 in (70% (n=20), 60% (n=15) and 40% (n75% of the tumor cells in all lesions from the same patient (five of eight cases). Our results indicate that FucGM1 is a relevant ganglioside antigen in SCLC, and suggest that specific immunotherapy involving more than one ganglioside antigen in SCLC should at least include FucGM1 and GD3.