Expression of Lewis X-related antigens in adenocarcinomas of lung.

Fifty primary lung adenocarcinomas were examined immunohistochemically using monoclonal antibodies to determine changes in the expression of N-acetyl-lactosamine (blood group type-2 chain), LeX, LeY and sialyl LeX-i. These antigens were expressed in 60%, 70%, 90% and 94% of carcinomas, respectively; in 8%, 12%, 56% and 86% of normal broncho-bronchiolar epithelium; and in 32%, 0%, 100% and 0% of normal alveolar epithelium. The greater the complexity of the antigenic structure, the greater the incidence of positive staining in the adenocarcinomas. Although the more complex antigens such as sialyl LeX-i and LeY have also been demonstrated in the sera of lung cancer patients, they were not always cancer-selective in our immunohistochemical study. In contrast, the less complex antigens such as N-acetyl-lactosamine (type-2 chain) and LeX seem to be cancer-selective, as they showed low positivity in normal lung tissue.