Background: Breast and ovarian tumor cell lines with defined tumor-associated antigens could serve as allogeneic antigen-sources for the biological therapy of cancer.
Materials and methods: Eight breast and 3 ovarian cancer cell lines were stained for the antigens in question by immunohistochemistry. Antigen-expression was graded in 5 steps by light microscopic examination.
Results: All cell lines with the exception of PA-1 expressed EMA. Only MCF-7 was CEA-positive. MUC-1 was found in all cell lines apart from MDA-MB and SK-OV3. The highest expression of Her-2/neu was found in ZR-75/1 and SK-OV3. A491D and PA1 cells were CD19-negative, all other lines were positive. Only A491D and BT-20 had p53 accumulation. PR was found in 5 cell lines and ER in 6 cell lines.
Conclusion: The cell lines investigated express a different pattern of tumor markers. In consequence, a careful examination should be performed in order to find the "best fitting" cell line to a patient's tumor for a tumor-vaccine.