The importance of tumor markers in oral pathology. II. Cell membrane and cytoplasmic antigens as tumour markers.

Important tumour markers in tumours of the oral mucosa and salivary glands are intermediate filaments of cytoskeleton, oncofetal and proliferative antigens, lectin receptors and blood group substances, enzymes, metalloproteins and viral antigens. The special occurrence of the following tumour markers was demonstrated: keratin, vimentin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), lectins (helix pomatia antigen = HPA, peanut agglutinin = PNA), Thomsen-Friedenreich-antigen, blood group substances A and B, amylase, lactoferrin, viral antigens of papilloma virus (group 11 and 16). In oral dysplasia and squamous cell carcinomas, relationships exist between the presence of keratin filaments and cell differentiation. Lectins represent membrane-orientated markers of differentiation. A loss of blood group substances A and B can be observed in oral dysplasias. Papilloma viruses and viral antibodies can be demonstrated in papillomas, leukoplakias and carcinomas. The salivary gland tumours show a distinct pattern of distribution for keratin, vimentin, CEA, TPA, metalloproteins and enzymes. Transplanted human salivary gland tumours in athymic nude mice keep the same tumour marker profile as in the primary tumor.