DISTRIBUTION OF IMMUNOGLOBULINS IN SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK

The immune response with respect to immunoglobulin production in the t umor was investigated in 23 patients with advanced squamous cell carci nomas of the head and neck. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclon al antibodies against IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE in the tumor was comp ared to normal hypopharyngeal mucosa. For IgG, IgA and IgM no signific ant differences between tumor and control tissues could be found. In c ontrast, a high number of IgE-positive cells was counted in most squam ous cell carcinomas compared to normal mucosa. Most of these cells app eared as plasma cells. Regarding IgD the differences between tumor and control tissues, were less pronounced but also significant.