Tumor-associated antibodies in the serum of patients with ocular melanoma. IV. Correction for smooth muscle antibodies.

Serum samples from patients with choroidal malignant melanoma, carcinoma metastatic to the choroid and "normal" controls containing tumor-associated antibodies (TAA) to tissue cultured melanoma cells were examined for the presence of smooth muscle antibody (SMA). Sera found to contain SMA were absorbed with actin or thrombosthenin and reassayed for TAA. With this modification, 72% (78% before absorption) of patients with uveal melanoma, 26% (78% before absorption) of patients with carcinoma metastatic to the choroid and 13% (24% before absorption) of "normal" controls were found to have tumor-associated antibodies in their serum.