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__AIMS:__ To investigate mast cell distribution in normal adult skin to provide a reference range for comparison with mastocytosis. __METHODS:__ Mast cells (MCs) were counted in uninvolved skin adjacent to basal cell carcinomas and other dermatological disorders in adults. __RESULTS:__ There was an uneven distribution of MCs in different body sites using the anti-tryptase monoclonal antibody technique. Numbers of MCs on the trunk, upper arm, and upper leg were similar, but were significantly different from those found on the lower leg and forearm. Two distinct groups were formed--proximal and distal. There were 77.0 MCs/mm2 at proximal body sites and 108.2 MCs/mm2 at distal sites. Adjusted for the adjacent diagnosis and age, this difference was consistent. The numbers of MCs in uninvolved skin adjacent to basal cell carcinomas and other dermatological disorders were not different from those in the control group. Differences in the numbers of MCs between the distal and the proximal body sites must be considered when MCs are counted for a reliable diagnosis of mastocytosis. A pilot study in patients with mastocytosis underlined the variation in the numbers of MCs in mastocytosis and normal skin, but showed a considerable overlap. The observed numbers of MCs in adults cannot be extrapolated to children. __CONCLUSIONS:__ MC numbers varied significantly between proximal and distal body sites and these differences must be considered when MCs are counted for a reliable diagnosis of mastocytosis. There was a considerable overlap between the numbers of MCs in mastocytosis and normal skin.

For the past two decades, intensive search has been made for the existence of tumor-specific antigens of human cancer. The recent succesful development of monoclonal antibodies against TAA on human cell membrane has not yet resulted in the identification of any tumor-specific determinant(s) on cancer cells. An alternative approach for the identification of tumor-specific antigens has been to study the immune response of the host to cancer. Cell-mediated cytotoxicity was initially investigated using microcytotoxicity assays (47). Specific cytotoxicity against a variety of cultured cells from human tumors was observed with lymphoid cells from tumor-bearers or individuals whose tumor had been resected. The whole concept of specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity in human cancer was doubted when natural cytotoxicity was discovered (18, 19). However, investigators working with the tumor extract-induced leukocyte adherence inhibition (LA I) phenomenon have successfully provided much of the existing evidence for specific anti-tumor immunity in animals and human cancers (81,82). The ultimate objective of the present study was to use the tube LA! assay to monitor the purification of human TAA from crude tumor extracts. On the assumption that T AA are foreign or modified human major histocompatibility complex antigens (HLA antigens) or are closely associated with these antigens, the biochemical techniques used to study the nature of HLA antigens could be applied to obtain an insight into the biochemical nature of TAA and their relation (if any) to HLA antigens. The tube LAI assay was chosen since it was claimed to be simple, rapid and reproducible. In the first instance it was necessary to develop a reliable tube LAI technique of high sensitivity. In the initial studies it was investigated whether this could be achieved by using partially purified tumor extracts. Since the amount of patient tumor material severely restricted the amount of crude extracts that could be chroma to gr