A monoclonal antibody, NCRC-11, raised to human breast carcinoma. 1. Production and immunohistological characterization.

The production of a mouse monoclonal IgM antibody, NCRC-11, raised against human breast carcinoma is described. It has been characterized immunohistologically. The antigen recognised has a wide but highly specific distribution in normal tissues, being virtually confined to the surface of certain epithelial cell types. It is found in some forms of epithelial metaplasia and most epithelial malignancies, particularly adenocarcinomas. The heterogeneity of staining in mammary carcinomas is outlined and is of particular interest. The immunohistological staining distribution of NCRC-11 is similar to other antibodies, including anti-epithelial membrane antigen, which were raised against human milk fat globule membrane. A competition experiment with some of these antibodies, using a flow cytofluorimeter, showed competition with one antibody, LICR LON/M8.