Discussion paper: loss of cellular antigens during malignant transformation

Normal human diploid cells, such as WE-38, transformed by an oncogenic virus, SV40, are greatly depleted of a cathodal esterase isozyme using both immunological and enzymatic criteria. This cathodal esterase is primate-specific and associated with lysosomes of many different tissue cells. It provides a clear example of antigenic loss associated with malignant change.