Reactivity of anti-human sperm monoclonal antibodies with normal placenta, hydatidiform mole, and gestational choriocarcinoma

The current study was undertaken to examine reactivity patterns of well-characterized anti-human sperm monoclonal antibodies with normal placenta, complete hydatidiform mole (HM), and gestational choriocarcinoma (CCA). Two anti-human sperm monoclonal antibodies (MA2 and MA7) out of a panel of 14 reacted with human CCA cell lines but did not react with the trophoblast of 4 HM or 4 normal placentas from 13 weeks to term gestation in immunofluorescence and absorption tests. Therefore, in terms of expressing these sperm-embryonic antigens, the trophoblast of HM is more like normal placental trophoblast than CCA. The relationships among normal placenta, HM, and CCA may be better understood by continued studies on the pattern of expression of additional embryonic antigens in these three gestational tissues.     

Modified triple chemotherapy in the management of high-risk metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumors

Modified triple chemotherapy (MAC III: methotrexate with citrovorum factor, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide) was administered as primary treatment to 14 patients with high-risk metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT). Ten (71.4%) patients attained complete remission with 1 to 4 courses of MAC III (mean = 2.7 courses). Three of the remaining patients subsequently achieved remission with the modified Bagshawe regimen or vinblastine, bleomycin, and cis-platinum. Following 38 courses of MAC III, moderate hepatotoxicity (SGOT greater than or equal to 150 U) developed after 1 (2.6%) course. Marked thrombocytopenia (platelets less than 50,000/mm3) and marked granulocytopenia (granulocytes less than 500/mm3) developed after 7 (18.4%) and 19 (50%) of the courses, respectively. Platelet transfusions were administered after 4 (10.5%) courses of MAC III and no patient required granulocyte transfusions. MAC III is an effective alternative treatment for patients with high-risk metastatic GTT.     

Localization of stage-specific embryonic antigens in hydatidiform mole, normal placenta, and gestational choriocarcinoma

Murine stage-specific embryonic antigens (SSEA-1, SSEA-3) are well characterized oncofetal antigens and have been identified in several human tumors. The current study was undertaken to determine the localization of SSEA-1 and SSEA-3 in hydatidiform mole, normal human placenta, and gestational choriocarcinoma. SSEA-3 did not react with any cellular components in hydatidiform moles, normal placentas, or choriocarcinoma cell lines. SSEA-1 was detectable in two human gestational choriocarcinoma cell lines, but not in the trophoblastic cells of 10 hydatidiform moles or in nine normal placentas between 6 weeks and term gestation. Therefore, according to this oncofetal marker system, the trophoblast in hydatidiform mole is more like normal trophoblast than gestational choriocarcinoma.