Comparison of tumor-associated surface antigens on cells from medulloblastomas and from other neoplasms of the human nervous system.

We used a new immunocytoadhesion method to test 15 different tumors of the human nervous system to see whether medulloblastomas share tumor-associated surface antigens (TSA) with other tumors. Antisera against medulloblastoma cells were raised in rabbits. One antiserum was adsorbed extensively with tonsil and adenoid cells and with cerebral tissues. Freshly isolated cells from 15 different tumors were first sensitized with the adsorbed antiserum and then rosetted with erythrocytes coated with purified antibody to rabbit immunoglobulin. We found that the antimedulloblastoma antiserum detected TSA on the immunizing medulloblastoma cells and on cells from 2 other medulloblastomas, but apparently not on cells from other tumors (astrocytomas, glioblastomas, neurinoma, meningiomas and craniopharyngioma). In addition, the antiserum probably detected the medulloblastoma TSA on some other tumors (oligodendroglioma, ependymoma and malignant glioma of mixed type).