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Immunological Reaction in Keratoacanthoma, a Spontaneously Resolving Skin Tumor^{1, 2,}

Department of Dermatology, U. S. Navy Hospital, San Diego, California 92134 [F. C. B.], and Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Experimental Pathology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, California 92037 [E. M. T.]

Keratoacanthoma, a skin tumor that undergoes spontaneous resolution, was studied immunohistologically by the fluorescent antibody technique. In vivo fixation of immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, and third component of complement were detected in areas of tumor adjacent to dermis or in tumor tissue undergoing necrotic degeneration. In some areas, immunoglobulin and complement were deposited in intercellular spaces of tumor tissue. Deposits of fibrinogen-fibrin were also present, but they were in the dermis and bore no spatial relationship to immunoglobulin and complement deposits. The characteristics of immunoglobulin and complement fixation in keratoacanthoma suggest that immunologically mediated mechanisms might participate in its spontaneous resolution.

¹ The opinions or assertions contained herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Navy Department.

² This is Publication 664 from the Department of Experimental Pathology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, Calif. This work was supported by USPHS Grants AM 12198 and AI 00214 from the NIH.

³ Senior Investigator, The Arthritis Foundation.

Received 12/ 7/72. Accepted 5/21/73.