Immunohistochemical studies of human renal cell carcinomas for ABO(H) blood group antigens, T antigen-like substance and carcinoembryonic antigen.

Immunohistochemical methods were used to examine human renal cell carcinoma tissues for the presence of ABO(H) blood group antigens, T antigen-like substance and carcinoembryonic antigen. None of the 30 tumors examined showed positive staining for the blood group antigens. In the normal adjacent kidney tissues blood group antigens were noted in the glomeruli, distal tubules and collecting ducts, while proximal convoluted tubules were uniformly negative. The presence of T antigen-like substance was noted in 10 of the 30 tumors (33 per cent). Likewise, T antigen-like substance appeared at the distal tubules and collecting ducts in the normal adjacent kidney tissues, while proximal convoluted tubules were negative. With a monoclonal antibody to carcinoembryonic antigen, 19 of the 30 tumors (63 per cent) showed positive staining. Carcinoembryonic antigen also was observed in the glomeruli and tubular epithelia in the normal kidney tissues. Immunohistochemical findings of T antigen-like substance and carcinoembryonic antigen were not found to be correlated with the tumor grade, cell type and stage, as well as survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma.