The main aims of the investigations reported in this thesis were to obtain detailed insight into the immunopathology of BCC which exhibit a broad spectrum of clinical and histological appearances. Two lines of investigations were followed. The frrst line concerned a search for useful tumor markers for BCC. Although the histological diagnosis of BCC is uncomplicated, in certain instances in order to establish a diagnosis, it would be advantageous if useful tumor markers for BCC were abailable. One such marker that was investigated was cytokeratin 8 (seeĀ§ 1.2.2.1). The second line of investigation concerned the characterization of the inflammatory infiltrate in BCC. Previously reported studies (105,153-156) on the characterization of the immune infiltrate in BCC were inconclusive and controversial, especially concerning the composition of the infiltrate and the role of humoral immunity. Therefore, investigations were undertaken to obtain a detailed insight into the composition of the peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate and its possible role in the defence against not only BCC, but also Bowen's Disease (carcinoma in situ). In recent years, several biological response modifiers, e.g. interferons (alpha, beta, gamma), interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor with anti-proliferative properties have become abvailable and their therapeutical potential in anticancer therapy has received much attention. There is evidence for an immune response, although not adequately functioning, against BCC. Since new approaches to therapy, especially in selected cases of BCC, may be of advantage, a clinical pilot study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of human recombinant interferon-gamma in patients with BCC.

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Erasmus University Rotterdam
Th. van Joost (Theodoor)
hdl.handle.net/1765/50947
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Habets, J. M. W. (1989, September 13). Immunohistological studies in basal cell carcinoma. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/50947