IMMUNOPHENOTYPING OF CHILDHOOD ASTROCYTOMAS WITH A LIBRARY OF MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES

Immunophenotype (IP) analysis of 14 childhood glial tumors was performed with a library of 16 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) using biotin‐streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical detection technique. Presence of glial or neuronal differentiated cells within the tumors was evaluated with MAbs against cell‐lineage‐specific markers: high‐, medium‐ and low‐molecular‐weight neurofilament protein (NFP) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Intense expression of GFAP was demonstrated in 14/14 astrocytomas. The three NFs were detected in 10–50% of the cells in 6/14 cases. The pan‐neuro‐ectodermal antigen defined by MAb UJ 13/A was present in 7/14 astrocytomas on more than 10% of the cells. Thy‐1 was expressed in 14/14 tumors on more than 50% of their cells. The GQ ganglioside antigen detected by MAB A2B5, was found in 12/14 tumors. Shared antigens exist among morphologically benign and malignant glial tumor cells and leukocytes detectable with the following four MAbs: Thy‐1, Pl 153/3, UJ 308 and anti‐HLe, common leukocyte antigen (CLA). CLA‐expressing cells were demonstrated in 8/12 astrocytomas, and in 4/12 cases more than 90% of the cells were positive. We have shown that cells within childhood astrocytomas can express neuronal IP. The most common expressed phenotype for glial tumors was: GFAP+, Thy‐1+, A2B5+, UJ 167.11+, UJ 223.8+, NF (H,M)+, UJ 13/A+, UJ 127.11−, and NF (L)−. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company