A Coagulo-Flocculation Test for Malignant Tumors. (Studies on Antigens.)

In these studies the following tissues were examined: wet human heart and liver, wet and dry beef heart, liver, kidney, brain and muscle. Three main types of antigens were employed:

Plain alcoholic extract. The wet tissues were extracted with 95% alcohol in the ratio 1:10 for 3 days at 37°C. and kept over night at room temperature. These extracts were then filtered. Dry tissues were extracted in the ratios 1:10, 1:25, 1:50, and 1:100 at 37°C, room and ice box temperature. The duration of extraction was the same as stated for the wet tissues.

Tractional extracts. They were prepared from the above dry tissues. Ten grams of the powderized tissues were extracted with 150 cc. of acetone and likewise with ether, chloroform, benzol and xylol. These flasks were kept at 37°C. for one hour, the extracts were then filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was re-dissolved in 50 cc. of 95% alcohol. Similarly extracts were prepared at ice box and at room temperature.

Secondary extracts. As in the preceding method 10 gm. of the respective dry tissues were extracted with 150 cc. of acetone for one hour at 37°C. and likewise with ether, chloroform, benzol and xylol. The extracts were then filtered and discarded, while the tissue residue was dried at 37°C. for one hour or for a longer time if necessary. Each dried tissue was extracted with 50 cc. of 95% alcohol for 3 days at 37°C. and then over night at room temperature. These extracts were again filtered. Similar extracts were prepared at ice box and at room temperature.

The usefulness of the above extracts with regard to the test can be summarized as follows: Beef heart appears to be the most suitable tissue for extraction of lipoids and is not exceeded in this respect by any other tissue.