Beta-2-microglobulin in basal cell carcinoma.

Differences in the cell surface of malignant cells, as compared with normal cells, are believed to be characteristic of many features of tumor cell behaviour. We have obtained evidence suggesting that solid and superficial basal cell carcinomas lack immuno-reactive beta-2-microglobulin (beta-2-m) on the cell surface, in contrast to normal epidermis and that of various non-malignant dermatoses, including basal cell papillomas.