Electrophoresis of tissue glycosaminoglycans as an aid in the diagnosis of mesotheliomas.

Abstract

The histologic distinction between mesotheliomas and adenocarcinomas on mesothelial surfaces is sometimes difficult. High concentrations of hyaluronic acid in pleural and peritoneal fluids of mesothelioma patients have been reported. This paper describes results of glycosaminoglycan electrophoresis of papain digests of 7 mesotheliomas and 27 other tumors. Either all or almost all demonstrable glycosaminoglycans in mesotherliomas was hyaluronic acid. Control tissues had variable electrophoretic patterns showing other glycosaminoglycans in addition to hyaluronic acid. In the clinical context of differentiating mesotheliomas and adenocarcinomas in tissue samples, this technique seems simple, economical, and relatively specific.

• Authors: B Waxler, R Eisenstein, H Battifora
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 44 Issue 1 Pg. 221-7 (Jul 1979) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 455246 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Glycosaminoglycans
• Hyaluronic Acid

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (analysis, diagnosis)
• Aged
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Electrophoresis, Cellulose Acetate
• Female
• Glycosaminoglycans (analysis)
• Humans
• Hyaluronic Acid (analysis)
• Male
• Mesothelioma (analysis, diagnosis)
• Middle Aged
• Peritoneal Neoplasms (analysis, diagnosis)
• Pleural Neoplasms (analysis, diagnosis)