Lysozyme (muramidase) and alpha 1-anti-chymotrypsin as immunohistochemical tumour markers

Since lysozyme and alpha 1-anti-chymotrypsin are constituents of normal histiocytes, their value as tumor cell markers in histiocytes neoplasias has been investigated using the indirect immunoperoxidase method and commercially available specific antisera on formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded 5 micrometers sections after pretreatment with pronase. The distribution of both markers was determined in 35 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) and in 13 cases of malignant histiocytosis (MH). In 12 cases of MH both markers were found whereas in MFH alpha 1-antichymotrypsin was demonstrated in 26 and lysozyme in 16 cases only. In general, the staining for alpha 1-anti-chymotrypsin was more intense than the staining for lysozyme. A negative reaction does not exclude the possibility of MH or MFH. The presence of both constituents in tumours, however, can be considered as indicative of histiocytogenic origin and both can be useful markers for distinguishing histiocytic neoplasias from other tumours.