LOCALIZATION OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY CC49 IN COLONIC METASTASIS FROM RENAL-CELL CARCINOMA

We report a rare case of solitary metastasis from renal cell carcinoma which manifested as a primary colonic tumour 5 years after nephrectom y, A monoclonal antibody CC49 (anti-TAG-72 antibody), used in Radioimm unoguided Surgery(TM), was found to localize in the tumour. Pathologic al examination revealed metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in the colo n. Immunohistochemistry with CC49 showed moderate staining of the colo nic mucosa around the metastasis with no reaction in the tumour itself . Based on this case and other published studies, we conclude that TAG -72, the antigen manifested in many adenocarcinomas, can be up-regulat ed and expressed in normal colonic mucosa adjacent to another tumour a s a result of stimulation;, such as cytokine release, in response to t his tumour.