Gm, A2m, and Km allotypic markers were examined in 40 Caucasian patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Serum IgA levels, the A2m(l) allotypic marker, and antibodies against IgAl, A2m(l), and A2m(2) were measured quantitatively. The frequency of Km(1) was found to be significantly increased in patients with head and neck cancer as compared to the control population.
Cancer 492021-2024, 1982.
ENETIC A N D ENVIRONMENTAL. FACTORS have been G reported to be involved in the etiology of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (H&NSca). Epidemiological evidence indicates that excessive smoking',2 and alcohol consumption' are major risk factors in H&NSca, probably serving as initiators of carcinogenesis. It has also been reported that herpes simplex virus type I (IISV) may play a role as a promoter or cofactor in the etiology of H & N S C ~. ~-~ The head and neck region is rich in lymphoid tissue, and local as well as systemic immunologic conditions may affect tumor surveillance. Both cellular and humoral immunologic abnormalities have been observed in H&NSca patients, and impairment of T-cell functions,8 including delayed-type hypersensitivity,' have been reported. Determinations of serum IgG, IgA, and IgM levels in H&NSca patients have shown marked elevations of IgA.'' Elevated levels of serum IgA have also been found in related disorders, such as carcinoma of the oral cavity and nasopharynx (NPC)."-13 Increased salivary IgA levels are also present in patients with oropharyngeal ~arcin0ma.l~ Elevated levels of soluble immune complexes found in patients with H&NSca may also be relevant to the pathogenesis of the disease.