Markers of oral and salivary gland tumors: immunocytochemical investigations.

In oral dysplasias and squamous cell carcinomas, relationships exist between the presence of keratin filaments and cell differentiation. The keratinized areas of high differentiated carcinomas are carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) positive. The labeling of the higher molecular keratins is similar to the distribution of lectin receptors so that lectins represent membrane-oriented markers of differentiation. In dysplasias a gradual loss of blood group substances A and B can be observed. Squamous cell carcinomas possess no substances A or B. H antigen as precursor of A and B is increased in preneoplasias and absent in carcinomas. In oral papillomas, leukoplakias, and carcinomas virogen koilocytotic cell changes, papilloma viruses and viral antibodies can be demonstrated. In salivary gland tumors a distinct pattern of distribution for keratin, vimentin, CEA, tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), metalloproteins, and enzymes can be observed. The cellular stromal reaction (lymphocytes, Langerhans cells, and so forth) can be defined more exactly by monoclonal antibodies.