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Detection of Antibody and Complement Complexed in Vivo on Membranes of Human Cancer Cells by Mixed Hemadsorption Techniques¹

Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery, Center for Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024, and Surgical Service, Veterans' Administration Hospital, Sepulveda, California 91343

The mixed hemadsorption (MHA) techniques demonstrated antibody and complement fixed in vivo to the surface of human cancer cells. Tumors from 12 cancer patients and normal tissues from 5 cancer patients and 8 patients with cerebrovascular or cardiac diseases were collected from biopsy and autopsy for in vitro testing. Antiserum to human whole immunoglobulins and antiserum to human C3 were used in the MHA techniques. Positive MHA patterns were demonstrated on the surface of cancer cells by both methods. Positive reactions ranged from 12 to 32% in mixed hemadsorption for antibody detection and from 10 to 34% in mixed hemadsorption for complement component 3 detection. Normal tissues obtained from cancer patients or from patients who died of causes other than cancer rarely exhibited distinct MHA reactivity.

Collectively, the data suggest that most human cancers are antigenic in the autologous host and that tumor-associated antigens of cancer cells react in vivo with their humoral antibody to fix complement.

¹ This investigation was supported by grants from the Cancer Research Institute, Inc.; USPHS Grants CA12582 and CA05262; the California Institute for Cancer Research; Concern Foundation; and Surgical Services, Sepulveda Veterans' Administration Hospital.

² Assistant research oncologist. To whom reprint requests should be addressed at the Division of Oncology, Department of Surgery, Center for Health Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024.

³ Assistant research oncologist.

⁴ Professor of Surgery, Chief, Division of Oncology.

Received 8/12/74. Accepted 2/ 3/75.