[Studies on tumour--associated immunoglobulins in human cancer]

Human sarcomas, carcinomas and brain tumours were assayed for the presence of immunoglobulins IgG. Among 16 tumours tested, 14 had detectable amount of IgG that could be released when incubated in culture conditions. Addition of iodoacetamide--a metabolic inhibitor--inhibited this " uncoating process ". The uncoated cells rebound IgG if incubated subsequently with any of the cancer sera tested. However, when the autologous serum was present during the uncoating incubation, subsequent rebinding at 4 degree C of IgG from the same or other cancer sera was significantly decreased compared to alquots pre-incubated in other sera.