Human osteosarcomas: immunologic evidence suggesting an associated infectious agent.

Immunofluorescent studies have revealed a high incidence of antibodies to osteosarcomas in the serums of patients with this disease and their close associates which react with a common antigen (or antigens) in osteosarcomas. The distribution of these antibodies suggests the association of an infectious agent with this neoplasm which is capable of producing unrecognized infections in healthy contacts of these patients.