Human pregnancy-specific beta1-globulin and its relation to chorioepithelioma.

Human serum pregnancy-specific beta1-globulin (beta1-GP) was localized in paraffin sections of placenta and chorioepithelioma of the uterus by indirect immunofluorescence. The structures containing beta1-GP but not human serum albumin were regarded as specifically associated with beta1-GP metabolism. Beta1-GP was found in trophoblastic cells of chorion and Langhans cells of chorioepithelioma. Using the immunoautoradiographic method (I131), we only found beta1-GP in sera of patients with trophoblastic tumours: in 74.3% of 35 patients with chorioepithelioma and in 80% of 25 patients with hydatidiform mole and destructive hydatidform mole. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of the immunochemical test for beta1-GP in trophoblastic tumours is discussed.