Monoclonal antibodies against human pancreatic adenocarcinoma: distribution of DU-PAN-2 antigen on glandular epithelia and adenocarcinomas.

This report describes the distribution of antigen DU-PAN-2, defined by a monoclonal antibody raised against human pancreatic carcinoma cells, on a variety of tumors and nonneoplastic tissues. With the use of an immunoperoxidase technique, the antigen was detected on 16 of 16 pancreatic carcinomas, on 5 of 5 gallbladder or bile duct carcinomas, on the great majority of stomach adenocarcinomas, and, less commonly, on adenocarcinomas of other primary sites. Substantial intratumor heterogeneity of antigen expression was noted. DU-PAN-2 antigen was present on many types of normal glandular epithelial cells but often was more weakly expressed than on the corresponding tumors. The immunomorphology of staining, coupled with biochemical information known about the antigen, supports the notion that the DU-PAN-2 antigen is a mucin-like substance. Its relative restriction of expression on different types of glandular epithelium suggests that DU-PAN-2 antibody might be a useful reagent for helping to determine the site of origin of adenocarcinomas.