Changes in the glycosylation pattern of histo-blood group antigens in benign, premalignant and malignant laryngeal epithelial lesions

Abstract

The glycosylation of epithelial cell surface antigens is an indicator of cellular differentiation, and changes in the pattern of expression are seen in different premalignant and malignant epithelial lesions. The purpose of this investigation was to study alterations in the sequential build-up of carbohydrate structures during development of malignancy in laryngeal epithelial lesions. Sixteen routinely processed biopsies showing grave dysplasia/carcinoma in situ were examined. All patients were observed without treatment until malignancy could be affirmed. Five of the patients normalized their laryngeal mucosa spontaneously during observation, whereas 11 progressed invasive carcinoma. Biopsies from normal, hyperplastic and carcinomatous laryngeal epithelium were used as controls. Six monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) related to the ABO- and the TTn blood group systems were used for demonstration of carbohydrate antigens by an indirect immunofluorescent staining method. Benign lesions had a normal sequence of glycosylation. Dysplasias showed accumulation of shorter chains in superficial layers, usually with a patchy dispersion. It is possible by carbohydrate distribution to objectively establish the diagnosis of grave dysplasias/carcinoma in situ, and on the basis of carbohydrate distribution we can divide the lesions into subgroups which are of prognostic relevance.