Pleomorphic adenomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas and adenolymphomas of salivary glands analysed by a monoclonal antibody against myoepithelial/basal cells. An immunohistochemical study.

Myoepithelial and basal cells were identified by a monoclonal antibody raised against keratin. This antibody (CK B1) which detects myoepithelial cells in normal salivary glands, labels spindle shaped and polygonal cells in pleomorphic adenomas. Most cells in adenoid cystic carcinomas and some basal cells in adenolymphomas were also positive for this antibody. The oncocytic epithelium of adenolymphoma was negative. An inverse reaction was seen with an antibody against cytokeratin 18. The antibody CK B1 seems to be of interest for the detection of myoepithelial/basal cells in salivary glands and salivary gland tumours.