Immunological and immunopathological studies of patients with burn scar

Sera obtained from 5 cases of burn scars (patients group 1) and cases of burn scars with squamous cell carcinoma (patients group 2) of the skin are analysed for anticollagen antibodies. Anticollagen type VI was demonstrable in the serum of one out of 5 cases in group 1 and 4 out of 6 cases in group 2. Collagen type VI was demonstrable in the scar without carcinoma of one patient whose serum contained anticollagen type VI. It is suggested that collagen type VI in the scar and their immunobiologic reaction may be related to the regulation of tumor development in scar tissue of the skin.