Immunofluorescence of epithelial skin tumors. I. Patterns of intercellular substance

Epidermal tumors were studied for production of intercellular substance (ICS) present in normal epidermis. Antibody to ICS found in pemphigus serum was used and detected by immunofluorescent technique. ICS was absent in squamous cell carcinoma, and its absence was related to degree of neoplasia. Individual cell keratinization was related to ICS. Basal cell carcinomas had no ICS, similar to sweat gland tumors. Seborrheic keratosis and keratoacanthoma produced normal amounts of ICS. It appears possible to classify tumors by this technique and probably relate intercellular substance to tumor behavior.