# TISSUE BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS IN UROTHELIAL NEOPLASIA

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 1990 · $58,067

## Abstract

The clinical course of patients initially with noninvasive
transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) of the urinary bladder is often
unpredictable on the basis of conventional morphologic criteria.
Studies by the applicant and other investigators have indicated
that tumor reactivity for the A,B,H and Lewis blood group
antigens are useful in predicting the subsequent course; reduction
of antigenic reactivity is associated with a higher likelihood of
recurrence and/or invasion.  The proposed studies will extend and
clarify these initial observations.  Specifically, we intend to
develop methodology for the ultrastructural demonstration of
blood group related antigens (BG Ags) in normal and neoplastic
urothelium.  This will enable us to discriminate between cell
surface and intracellular antigenic reactivity and, also, to identify
the organelles involved in the biosynthesis of BG Ags and their
relation to defective antigen expression in neoplastic cells.  A
second objective of the proposed studies is to combine
immunohistological observations with qualitative and quantitative
analysis of tissue glycolipids utilizing radio-immune thin layer
chromatography.  This analysis will faciltate quantitative
comparisons of BG Ag levels in urothelial neoplasms and, also,
allow the demonstration of possible qualitative differences in the
structure of tumor BG substances.  Finally, we intend to examine
the mechanism(s) responsible for the previously observed
variability in antigen detectability depending on whether lectins,
polyclonal, or monoclonal antibodies are used.  The results of each
of the above methodologies will be correlated with conventional
morphology and clinical outcome.  It is hoped that the proposed
studies will lead to new insights into the mechanisms of altered
BG Ag reactivity in TCCs and, thereby, improve our
understanding of the biological behavior of these tumors and the
management of patients harboring them.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3171202
- **Project number:** 5R01CA033239-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KABJZBBJ4B54
- **Principal Investigator:** CATHERINE LIMAS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $58,067
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-12-01 → 1992-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3171202

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3171202, TISSUE BLOOD GROUP ANTIGENS IN UROTHELIAL NEOPLASIA (5R01CA033239-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3171202. Licensed CC0.

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