HepPar1, MOC-31, pCEA, mCEA and CD10 for distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma vs. metastatic adenocarcinoma in liver fine needle aspirates.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate immunohistochemical staining of hepatocyte paraffin-1 (HepPar1), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), polyclonal carcinoembryonic antigen (pCEA), monoclonal CEA (mCEA), MOC-31 and CD10 for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from metastatic adenocarcinoma (MA) on fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-one archival, paraffin-embedded FNAB cell blocks, representing 18 HCCs and 33 MAs, were immunostained with antibodies for AFP, CD10, pCEA, mCEA, HepPar1 and MOC-31. RESULTS: HepPar1, AFP, canalicular pCEA and CD10 were positive in 78% (14 of 18), 28% (5 of 18), 72% (13 of 18) and 35% (6 of 17) of cases of HCC, respectively. The 33 MAs were negative for immunostaining of the above antibodies except for one AFP-positive MA. Ninety-seven percent (31 of 32) of the MAs and 6% (1 of 17) of the HCCs were positive for MOC-31. Monoclonal CEA was immunoreactive on 82% (27 of 33) of the MAs and negative on all the HCCs. CONCLUSION: HepPar1 was the most sensitive marker for HCC, followed by canalicular staining for pCEA. For MA, MOC-31 was the most sensitive marker; mCEA was slightly less sensitive but more specific. We suggest using HepPar1, pCEA, CD10, MOC-31 and mCEA as a panel for distinguishing HCC from MA in liver FNAB.

Differential expression of the PTEN tumor suppressor protein in fetal and adult neuroendocrine tissues and tumors: progressive loss of PTEN expression in poorly differentiated neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Genetic alteration and loss of expression of tumor suppressor gene PTEN has been found in carcinomas of the breast, prostate, and endometrium, as well as in gliomas. PTEN expression in neural crest/neuroendocrine (NC/NE) tissues and in neoplasms has not been reported. This study examines PTEN expression in embryonal, fetal, and adult tissues by immunohistochemistry. The authors found high PTEN expression in embryonal, fetal, and adult NC/NE tissues. The authors also study the PTEN expression in NC/NE neoplasms (N = 37), including 5 melanocytic nevi, 2 melanomas, 9 carcinoids, 2 moderately differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, 13 poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, 2 paragangliomas, 2 pheochromocytomas, 2 medullary thyroid carcinomas, and 1 neuroblastoma. All carcinoid tumors and melanocytic nevi showed moderate or strong immunostaining for PTEN. In contrast, the majority of poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (7 of 13) were negative for PTEN (54%); the remainder showed diminished reactivity. The two melanomas studied were also negative for PTEN immunostaining. The paragangliomas, pheochromocytomas, medullary thyroid carcinomas, and neuroblastoma all showed a strong PTEN stain. The authors postulate that PTEN is a differentiation marker for NC/NE tissue and tumors and that loss of PTEN expression may represent an important step in the progression of NE tumors.