Immunohistological detection of T antigen and ABH blood group antigens in upper urinary tract tumours.

The status of T antigen was assessed by means of peanut agglutinin (PNA) used in an immunoperoxidase technique, and the status of ABH blood group antigens was determined by the specific red cell adherence (SRCA) test. Thirty-eight patients with upper urinary tract tumours were examined. Our data indicated that T antigen status did not correlate with conventional prognostic indicators such as grade and stage of tumour and survival of patients, while the expression or deletion of ABH blood group antigens did correlate well. It was concluded that ABH blood group antigen determination might provide a useful prognostic probe in upper urinary tract tumours should it find clinical application.