Amylase (Am), lactoferrin (Lf), lysozyme (Ly), secretory component (SC), epithelial IgA, and epithelial IgM were traced by paired immunofluorescence staining in ethanol-fixed specimens from 15 pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland. Epithelial elements positive for some of the markers were detected in a variable number of the specimens (Am, 0; Lf, 11, Ly, 2; CEA, 6; SC, 11; IgA, 9; and IgM, 6); their expression seemed to depend on a certain degree of glandular differentiation. Variable co-expression of secretory epithelial markers probably reflected different degrees of differentiation, indicating that clonal diversification may explain the histological complexity of pleomorphic adenomas. The most consistent expression (in almost 75% of the specimens) shown by Lf and SC might further reflect histogenetic relationship to intercalated ducts in which these antigens are normally found in largest amounts.
