Immune Complexes in Transitional Cell Carcinoma

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Abstract
Bladder cancer patients were examined to establish whether such patients have circulating immune complexes. Polyethylene glycol precipitation, double crossed immunoelectrophoresis, Raji [human Burkitt''s lymphoma] cell and C1q [fragment q of complement component 1] binding assays were the analytical methods used. In the 1st group of 24 patients, 17 had positive results on cystoscopy for pathologically defined tumors at the time of the serum sample. Two tested positive for the presence of circulating immune complexes by all 4 techniques and an additional 1 tested positive by 3 of the 4 techniques. In the 2nd group of 54 patients (41 of whom had pathologically definable tumors at sample date), 9 were judged possibly positive by the Raji cell assay, the polyethylene glycol and double crossed immunoelectrophoresis techniques. When tested by the Clq binding assay 8 of the 9 patients were positive, most being in the range of 260-320 .mu.g/ml immune complex. Combining all data from the 78 patients with bladder cancer the results in 10 cases definitely were positive by all 4 techniques and an additional 2 were positive by 3 techniques. A low percentage (13-15%) of patients with bladder cancer apparently have circulating immune complexes. The complexes bind Clq, contain aggregated Ig[immunoglobulin]G and can be dissociated into antigen and antibody. The immune complexes are similar to those found in immune complex diseases.