Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) includes invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, and placental site trophoblastic tumors. The overall cure rate in treating these tumors currently exceeds 90%. Thorough evaluation and staging allow selection of appropriate therapy that maximizes chances for cure while minimizing toxicity. Nonmetastatic (stage I) and low-risk metastatic (stages II and III, World Health Organization score < 7) GTN can be treated with single-agent chemotherapy, resulting in a survival rate approaching 100%. High-risk metastatic GTN (stage IV, WHO score > or = 7) requires initial multiagent chemotherapy with or without adjuvant radiation and surgery to achieve a survival rate of 80% to 90%.

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BALB/c mice were immunized with dissected olfactory mucosa from young adult Sprague-Dawley-derived, CD, rats and antibody-secreting hybridomas were produced. Supernatants from hybridoma cultures were screened by immunocytochemical methods for their ability to react with specific cell populations in frozen sections of rat olfactory epithelium. Approximately 60 clones were identified that showed various degrees of specific staining. These have been classified on the basis of their particular staining specificities. One group of monoclonal antibodies, designated LUM, reacts with the luminal surface of the epithelium. Closer examination reveals these antibodies to react variously with the apical brush border of sustentacular cells, respiratory cilia, and the luminal membrane of respiratory cells. Another group of monoclonal antibodies reacts primarily with sustentacular cells, as is indicated by the SUS prefix. Some antibodies in this group also react with the membranes of respiratory cells and the cells comprising the acini of Bowman's glands. A larger group of antibodies reacts with olfactory neurons and/or their axons, as denoted by the NEU prefix. This group can be further subdivided by the criteria of whether both the olfactory nerve and vomeronasal nerve react with the same monoclonal antibody. A fourth group of monoclonal antibodies, designated GLA, reacts with Bowman's glands and in some instances with secretory cells present in the respiratory mucosa. Two clones, BCL, stain at the level of the basal cell layer just above the lamina propria. A number of other antibodies react with cells and structures of the epithelium that have not been previously described. One of this group, NIS-1, stains globular structures present in the mucosa of the neuroepithelium.

The developmental expression of immunocytochemical reactivity to 3 monoclonal antibodies (Mabs Neu 4, Neu 5, and Neu 9) that were generated against adult rat olfactory epithelium was examined in olfactory tissues of embryonic rats. Tissues examined included the nasal olfactory epithelium, nerve, and olfactory bulb, as well as vomeronasal epithelium and nerve. Reactivity patterns of these Mabs in adult rats have been described previously (Hempstead and Morgan, 1985a). All 3 Mabs show reactivity on the cell surfaces of neurons, axons, and dendrites of the olfactory epithelium proper. Neu 5 alone shows reactivity on the dendritic knobs, site of transduction of the olfactory stimuli. These reactivities appear early, suggesting developmentally significant roles for the antigens to these Mabs. For Neu 5 and Neu 9 initial reactivity occurs on outgrowing olfactory axons at E13. Dendritic and perikaryal reactivities begin appearing at E14. For Neu 4 initial reactivity occurs simultaneously on olfactory neuronal perikarya, axons, and dendrites at E14. Reactivity also occurs on cells that migrate from the olfactory epithelium and are associated with the olfactory nerves. Within the developing olfactory bulb, Neu 5 behaves as a general cell-surface marker. Neu 4 and Neu 9, however, show enhanced reactivity in the glomerular layer after the onset of synaptogenesis. Reactivity is also seen in the nasal respiratory epithelium and in the vomeronasal epithelia and nerve. Neu 5 and several antibodies to rat neural cell adhesion molecules (N-CAMs) show similar, although not identical, immunohistochemical staining patterns. They also react with the same bands in Western blots of brain membrane preparations. Western blots of Neu 5-reactive material also show developmental and spatial correlations of apparent molecular-weight distributions expected of N-CAM-like components as well.