ABO (H) cell surface antigens in benign and malignant parotid neoplasms

Twenty-two inflammatory, benign, or malignant parotid lesions were studied by means of the specific red cell adherence test (SRCA), a modification of the Coombs' mixed cell agglutination reaction. In 22 normal parotid tissues the acinar structures were devoid of red cell agglutination, but it was present in ductal epithelium. Findings were similar in 2 cases of parotitis, 11 benign mixed tumors, and 1 malignant mixed tumor. All lacked red cell agglutination in areas of neoplastic change. Benign Warthin's tumors (4 cases) demonstrated antigenicity in the columnar epithelial component of the tumor, but lacked red cell agglutination in areas of the lymphoid component. One malignant Warthin's tumor showed agglutination in areas of normal columnar epithelium but not in areas of malignant dedifferentiation. Undifferentiated carcinoma (1 case) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (2 cases) did not possess detectable ABO (H) antigens in neoplastic areas of the gland. The absence of ABO antigens in normal acinar glands supports their suggested myoepithelial or mesenchymal derivation, as the absence of antigen in benign and malignant mixed tumors supports their proposed mesenchymal derivation. Ductular epithelium and the epithelial components of benign Warthin's tumors have ABO (H) antigens, while the loss of antigen in the epithelial portion of the malignant Warthin's tumor is characteristic of epithelial neoplastic dedifferentiation. Loss of antigen in adenoid cystic and undifferentiated carcinomas of the parotid supports the concept that antigen is absent in epithelially derived malignant neoplasms.