Characterisation of Mononuclear Cell Infiltrates by Monoclonal Antibodies in Normal and Neoplastic Colorectal Tissue

Monoclonal antibodies to human leukocyte antigens have previously been used to characterise mononuclear cells infiltrating carcinomas of the breast (1–3) and ovary (4). The present report extends this technique to benign and malignant neoplasms of the colorectum. These tumours are of particular interest because adenomas are recognised as pre-cancerous lesions in the large bowel (5). Therefore the study of cell types infiltrating adenomas, in comparison to frank carcinomas, would afford evidence of the nature of the host response to a developing neoplasm.