CD10 and HHF35 actin in the differential diagnosis between Collagenous spherulosis and adenoid-cystic carcinoma of the breast

Collagenous Spherulosis (CS) and Adenoid-Cystic Carcinoma (AdCC) of the breast consist of cribriform proliferations of epithelial and myoepithelial cells with an immunophenotypic overlap of some myoepithelial markers, such as p63 and smooth muscle actin (SMA). To our knowledge, CD10 and HHF35 actin have not been assessed in the differential diagnosis of these two breast lesions. We performed an immunohistochemical study on 6 cases of CS and 9 cases of AdCC. We found CD10, muscle-specific actin (HHF35), Estrogen and Progesterone receptors (ER and PR) to be strongly expressed in CS, but not in AdCC; C-kit was diffusely positive in AdCC and scanty in CS; SMA, p63 and Cytokeratine 5/6 (CK5/6) were positive in both. Our results also confirm that AdCC could be true basal-like neoplasia, probably arising from a basal stem line tending to divergent differentiation toward CK5/6/C-kit+, ER/PR-, epithelial basal-like cell type, and toward a myoepitelial-like cell type, with an incomplete SMA/p63+, CD10/HHF35- immunophenotype. By contrast, CS is a reactive, benign proliferation of two well-differentiated cell types: epithelial (ER/PR+, C-kit-) and myoepithelial cells with a complete immunophenotype including CD10/HHF35 positivity. Our study highlights the usefulness of CD10 and HHF35 in the differential diagnosis and helps to understand the histogenesis of the two lesions.     

Low-grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma of the parotid gland: a neoplasm with favorable prognosis, distinct from salivary duct carcinoma

Low-grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma of salivary glands is a recently described rare tumor with favorable prognosis. This study reports the case of 50-year-old woman with swelling lasting for 9 months in the right parotideomasseteric area. Grossly, the tumor was well circumscribed and dominated by cystic space. Microscopically, the neoplasm consisted of well-demarcated islets, some of them cystically dilated. The architecture of islets varied from solid to cribriform and micropapillary without comedo-type necroses. The tumor cells featured no significant cytologic atypia. Immunohistochemically, luminal cells showed expression of cytokeratins (CK), CK7, CK18, and S100 protein. In addition, immunostains for CK5/6, CK14, p63 protein, and smooth muscle actin displayed a continuous rim of myoepithelial cells around all tumor nests. In contrast, detection of CK20, hormonal receptors (androgen, estrogen, and progesterone), epidermal growth factor receptor and Her-2/neu oncoprotein was negative. The patient is free of disease for 2 years. The relationship between low-grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma and salivary duct carcinoma is discussed.     

Myoepithelial carcinoma of pharynx expressing KIT and PDGFRA

KIT and PDGFRA expression has rarely been examined in myoepithelial carcinoma (MC) of the salivary glands. An 89-year-old Japanese woman presented with a pharyngeal mass. Gross and imaging examinations revealed an elevated mass in the middle pharynx next to the oral cavity. A biopsy revealed atypical cells, and tumorectomy was performed. The tumor was composed of atypical epithelioid cells arranged in solid nests, cords, and vague acinar patterns. Mitotic figures were recognized in 3 per 50 high power fields. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for myoepithelial markers including cytokeratin (CK) 14, α-smooth muscle antigen, S100 protein, and p63. They were also positive for KIT, PDGFRA, pancytokeratin AE1/3, CK34βE12, CK5/6, vimentin, p53, and Ki-67 (labeling=28%). They were negative for neuron-specific enolase, CD45, CD34, CD56, chromogranin, synaptophysin, melanosome, desmin, epithelial membrane antigen, CK18, CK20, pancytokeratin (CAM5.2). A pathologic diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma arising from minor salivary glands was made. No metastatic lesions were found by various imaging techniques. The patient is now receiving palliative radiation therapy 2 months after the operation. The present case showed that MC can express KIT and PDGFRA.     

Pigmented adenoid cystic carcinoma of the ear skin arising from the epidermis: a case report with immunohistochemical studies

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in the skin is very rare; only about 60 cases have been reported. Herein presented is a case of pigmented ACC arising from epidermis of the ear skin. An 85-year-old man presented black tumor of the right ear. Dermatologists' diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Large biopsy was obtained. The biopsy showed proliferation of atypical basaloid cells arranged in a cribriform pattern. The tumor cells were continuous with epidermis, as if it arose from the epidermis. Focal areas show melanin deposition in the tumor cells. Mucin stains showed that the tumor cells and tubular lumens contained acidic mucin. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin (CK) AE1/3, CK34BE12, CK5/6, CK7, CK14, p63, alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA), S100 protein, p53, Ki-67 (labeling 85%), KIT, PDGFRA and CD56. The tumor cells were negative for CK CAM5.2, CK8, CK18, CK19, CK20, EMA, desmin, CEA, HMB45, CD10, CD34, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin, synaptophysin, CDX2, MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC and MUC6. HMB-positive and S100-positive melanocytes were seen in a very few areas. Since characteristic cribriform pattern was recognized in the tumor and the tumor showed epithelial markers, myoepithelial markers (CD14, p63, ASMA, S100 protein) and KIT, the pathological diagnosis of ACC was made. No distant and lymph node metastasis is now seen. The patient will be treated by complete resection. The present cutaneous ACC was unique in that the ACC arose from the epidermis, had melanin pigment, and occurred in ear skin.     

气管上皮-肌上皮癌的临床病理学观察

目的观察气管上皮-肌上皮癌(epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma,EMC)的临床病理学、影像学特点,探讨其免疫组化特征及鉴别诊断。方法采用组织学、免疫组化及组织化学技术对1例气管EMC进行光镜观察及免疫标记,并结合相关文献对其临床表现、影像学、组织形态和免疫组化特点等进行综合分析。结果患者男性,25岁,肿瘤病理组织学表现为分叶状生长,管状和实性区混合存在。瘤细胞由上皮和肌上皮细胞组成,呈双层腺管样结构。免疫组化染色示:上皮细胞CK、EMA均(+),肌上皮细胞SMA、S-100、p63、HHF35、GFAP均(+),管状结构周围PAS染色(+)。结论原发于气管的EMC十分罕见,影像学具有一定特征,免疫组化染色有助于该肿瘤的诊断,应与多形性腺瘤、肌上皮瘤、嗜酸细胞瘤、腺样囊性癌等鉴别;以手术切除为主的综合治疗预后较好。     

Immunophenotypic characterization of anal gland carcinoma: loss of p63 and cytokeratin 5/6

Anal gland carcinoma (AGC) is a rare perianal invasive cancer composed of tubular glands lined by cuboidal epithelium. The clinical features and histogenesis of AGC are not well understood and its origin from anal glands is often difficult to prove. Little is known about immunophenotypic features of AGC that could be useful in establishing the diagnosis. This study evaluated the immunohistochemical profile of 2 cases of AGC in comparison to anal glands from 11 hemorrhoidectomy specimens. Sections from the specimens were routinely processed and immunostained using commercial antibodies to cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK20, CK5/ 6, p63, CDX2, smooth muscle actin, calponin, heavy chain smooth muscle myosin, p53, and p16. In case 1 of AGC, radiation and chemotherapy preceded an abdominoperineal resection. In biopsies from this case, the neoplastic anal glands had a tubular pattern, whereas most glands in the resection specimen exhibited mucinous features. The histologic pattern in case 2 was tubular. Normal anal glands showed immunoreactivity for myoepithelial and basal cell markers CK5/6 and p63 in basal and parabasal cell layers and for CK7 in superficial cell layers. In contrast, both cases of AGC were negative for CK5/6 and p63 and were diffusely positive for CK7. Normal glands and both cases of AGC were negative for the intestinal differentiation marker CDX2, CK20, smooth muscle actin, calponin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, p16, and p53. Our data suggest that loss of p63 and CK5/6 expression is a feature of AGC. Anal gland carcinoma shares negativity for CDX2 and CK7+/CK20- profile with normal anal glands. No evidence of myoepithelial cells was found in normal or malignant anal glands. These data may be useful in establishing the diagnosis of AGC.     

Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

ACC derived from nasopharyngeal epithelial cells is rare, usually benign. In this article, we reported a nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (NACC) in a 31-year-old woman with a symptom of hoarseness, headache, epistaxis slightly, diplopia, facial numbness and dysphagia near 3 months. A tumor on the right side of the nasopharynx was confirmed by laryngoscope check and MRI of the skull base. Histopathological findings showed that tumor cells were arranged in cord-like or acinar-like by atypical hyperplastic epithelial cells forming a cribriform and tubular pattern, and immunohistochemical findings showed that tumor tissues were immunopositive for p63 (+), CK7 (+), CK19 (+), CK8 (+), CK18 (+), SMA (+), CK (+), p53 (++), S-100 (+) and Ki-67 (5%+), and negative for CD34 (-), CK5/6 (-), CEA (-) and CD117 (-). Patient was treated by surgical operation and radiotherapy, and was followed-up near 10 months, no local recurrence and distant metastasis.     

Cell proliferation in salivary gland adenocarcinomas with myoepithelial participation

We used three markers of cell proliferation — mitotic counts, mitotic index and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen - to assess the proliferative activity of a series of 78 low-grade salivary adenocarcinomas with myoepithelial participation classified according to: their histological type, the predominant architectural type, and the predominant cytological type. The series included adenoid cystic carcinomas (40), epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas (19), polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinomas (12) and basal cell adenocarcinomas (7). The proliferation indicators were found to be similar in the first three groups, being significantly lower than in the last. Tumours formed by basal cells had statistically significant higher mitotic indexes than those predominantly composed of clear cells of myoepithelial type and ductal cells. Tubular tumours, irrespective of the histological classification of the neoplasm, had proliferation indexes similar to those found in cribriform neoplasms. Solid tumours, whether formed by ductal or clear myoepithelial-type cells, had higher indexes than the neoplasms with differentiated (cribriform and tubular) patterns. The highest mean values for every proliferation indicator used were found in tumours with solid organization that were predominantly formed by basal cells. These results agree with the hypothesis that cell proliferation is inversely related to neoplastic differentiation. The identification of the prevalent cell phenotype and architecture may extend our knowledge from adenoid cystic carcinoma, whose solid variant carries a worse prognosis, and supports that the usual classification of this group of salivary adenocarcinomas would benefit to be complemented with information on tumour architecture and cellular composition.     

Low grade sinonasal adenocarcinoma

Sinonasal adenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm which is classified as 'intestinal' or 'nonintestinal' type, depending on its resemblance to gastrointestinal mucosa. These tumors are associated with occupational and environmental carcinogens. In this study, a fifty-year-old oil-painter male patient with a low-grade nonintestinal type sinonasal adenocarcinoma originating from the left middle concha and ethmoid sinus is presented. Microscopical examination revealed many infiltrative glandular structures, most of which were cystically dilated and some of which were smaller in diameter, arranged back to back in loose fibrous stroma as well as intraglandular papillary and micropapillary structures forming complex branches or a cribriform pattern. The glands were lined by epithelial cells that were faintly eosinophilic and relatively abundant cubical/ cylinderical cytoplasms and mildly pleomorphic round/oval nuclei, with rare mitotic figures. Intraluminal and focally intracytoplasmic mucin was demonstrated with Alcian Blue, mucicarmin and PAS stains. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were strongly and diffusely positive with CK7; focally and weakly positive with CK20 and negative with CDX2 in accordance with the nonintestinal type. S-100, Actin and p63, applied for investigating the myoepithelial and salivary glandular origins, were all negative. Prognostic markers, TTF-1 and p53 were negative; while the Ki-67 index was 2%. The fact that intestinal type sinonasal adenocarcinomas are generally high grade, while nonintestinal tumors are histologically low grade makes this morphological and immunohistochemical-based classification valuable in predicting the prognosis of the disease. In addition to the morphological and immunohistochemical findings, clinical information stands out in the differentiation of the tumor from benign or malignant primary lesions or metastatic adenocarcinoma.     

Diagnostic role of DOG1 and p63 immunohistochemistry in salivary gland carcinomas

Background: The differential diagnosis of salivary carcinomas is always difficult and challenging. Salivary neoplasms often shows more than one growth pattern and significant morphologic variability may exist within a single tumor and between different tumors. The aim of this study was to examine the role of DOG1 (discovered on gastrointestinal tumor-1) and p63 immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of salivary carcinomas. Methods: we examined the expression of DOG1 and p63 immunohistochemistry in 33 mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC), 9 acinic cell carcinomas (ACC), 10 adenoid cystic carcinomas (AdCC) and 4 myoepithelial carcinomas. Results: All ACC showed strong to moderate positivity for DOG1 (P=0.001) and all were totally negative for p63. All MEC expressed strong to moderate positivity for p63 (P=0.001) while only (9.1%) were weak to moderately positive for DOG1. (80%) AdCC were moderately positive for DOG1 in ductal and myoepithelial components and (100%) showed moderate positivity for p63 in myoepithelial cells only (P=0.001). All myoepithelial carcinomas were DOG1 negative, 2 (50%) were weakly positive for p63 while the other 2 were moderately positive (P=0.5). Conclusion: DOG1 is a sensitive marker in the diagnosis of acinic cell carcinoma, p63 is sensitive in the diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, the combined use of both markers is helpful and statistically significant in the differential diagnosis of acinic cell carcinoma versus mucoepidermoid carcinoma, both markers can help in the diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma but they have no role in the diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma.     

乳腺上皮-肌上皮性肿瘤4例临床病理学分析

目的：探讨乳腺上皮-肌上皮性肿瘤(epithelial-myoepithelial tumor of breast)的临床病理学特点、免疫表型、诊断及鉴别诊断。方法：对4例乳腺上皮-肌上皮性肿瘤的临床特点、组织形态学及免疫组织化学结果进行分析,并复习相关文献。结果：患者：男性1例,女性3例,平均年龄51岁(27~63岁)。4例肿瘤直径1.5~3.0 cm(平均2.0 cm),无包膜,切面灰白色。显微镜下可见肿瘤由双相增生的肌上皮细胞和腺上皮细胞构成,肌上皮细胞环绕腺上皮细胞构成特征的套管结构。免疫组织化学染色,腺上皮细胞表达CK8/18、CK7,肌上皮细胞表达p63、Calponin、CK5/6。1例诊断为腺肌上皮瘤(adenomyoepithelioma,AME),3例诊断为伴有癌的腺肌上皮瘤(恶性腺肌上皮瘤, malignant adenomyoepithelioma,MAME)。结论：乳腺上皮–肌上皮性肿瘤是少见的肿瘤类型,需与导管内乳头状瘤、化生性癌等鉴别。     

Basaloid carcinoma of salivary glands, a variety of undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical study of intermediate filament proteins in 24 cases.

Among adenoid cystic carcinomas of salivary glands (ACCs), the solid basaloid type has a poor prognosis similar to that of undifferentiated adenocarcinomas. We studied 24 cases in immunohistochemistry using antibodies reactive with keratins of various molecular weights, vimentin, S-100 protein, and its A and B subunits. Our findings were correlated with the histological pattern and with the variable degree of differentiation of these carcinomas. In comparison with other types of ACC, intermediate filament proteins in this group were weakly expressed. The co-expression of cytokeratin and vimentin was noted in some cases. Additional features noted were the presence of cribriform cavities associated with solid lobules and areas of necrosis giving a comedocarcinomatous pattern. In these two variants, cells characterized by the dual expression of cytokeratin and S-100 protein were seen. In the highly malignant anaplastic variety, only a few cells were weakly positive with antisera to cytokeratin and vimentin. This group shows similarities to undifferentiated adenocarcinomas of salivary glands. Such similarities could be explained by the common origin of these tumours from intercalated ducts.     

Pure sarcomatoid carcinoma of maxillary sinus and nasal cavity simulating malignant fibrous histiocytoma

Although a few cases of sinonasal carcinoma with focal sarcomatous differentiation have been reported, pure sarcomatoid carcinoma has not been reported in the English literature. Imaging studies and gross inspection in a 60-year-old man with left-sided face pain revealed a mass in the left maxillary sinus and nasal cavity. A large incisional biopsy specimen from the nasal cavity revealed proliferation of malignant spindle and round cells with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) pattern. Tumor giant cells were scattered, and there were areas of a vague storiform pattern. Mitotic figures were numerous. Carcinomatous component was not recognized. The histologic diagnosis was storiform-pleomorphic MFH. Tumor cells were positive for pancytokeratins AE1/3, KL-1, and CAM5.2 and cytokeratin (CK) 18, vimentin, CD68, p53, Ki-67 (labeling, 90%), α?-antitrypsin, and α?-antichymotrypsin and negative for pancytokeratin WSS, CK 34βE14, CK7, CK8, CK14, CK19, CK20, epithelial membrane antigen, S-100 protein, desmin, α-smooth muscle actin, CD34, HMB45, chromogranin, synaptophysin, myoglobin, CD45, CD30, and CD15. Because keratins were positive in tumor cells, a diagnosis of sarcomatoid carcinoma simulating MFH was made. The patient was treated with chemoradiation without significant effect and died 9 months after initial examination.     

Basal cell adenoma in the parotid: a bizarre myoepithelial-derived stroma rich variant

Basal cell adenoma (BCA) is a specific entity that lacks the myxochondroid stromal component of a pleomorphic adenoma. There are six histopathological types of BCA: solid, tubular, trabecular, membranous, cribriform, and myoepithelial-derived stroma rich. Myoepithelial-derived stroma rich variant is so rare, especially with cellular atypia. Herin we describe a rare case of BCA arising in the parotid on a 25-year-old man. A well-demarcated nodule arising in the parotid that was composed of basaloid cells, forming small duct-like or tubular structures containing basement membrane-like material, as well as highly cellular elongated cells with hyperchromatic, enlarged, pleomorphic, and bizarre nuclei. Immunohistochemically, S100 protein and p63 highlighted the basal aspect of the peripheral epithelial cells and peripheral spindle and bizarre cells, while CK7 expressed on the luminal cells. We made a diagnosis of “basal cell adenoma, myoepithelial-derived stroma rich variant, with bizarre myoepithelial proliferation”. The differential diagnosis includes cellular pleomorphic adenoma, basal cell adenocarcinoma, and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. After follow-up for 3 years, there was no evidence of recurrence. Further pathological characteristics of this disease are discussed.     

Epithelial hyperplasia of usual type expresses both S100-α and S100-β in a heterogeneous pattern but ductal carcinoma in situ can express only S100-α in a monotonous pattern

Immunohistochemical identification of myoepithelial cells using α-smooth muscle actin provides little information about the nature of solid or quasi-solid portions of epithelial hyperplasia and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) because actin-rich myoepithelial cells are usually demonstrated only in the stromal–epithelial junction of both lesions. We studied the differential distribution of α-subunit (S100-α) and β-subunit (S100-β) of S100 protein in actin-negative areas of usual epithelial hyperplasia and DCIS by employing the streptavidin method with monospecific rabbit antibodies against each subunit. All usual epithelial hyperplasias (n=17) were composed of heterogeneous epithelial cell types; cells expressing S100-α and/or S100-β were intermingled with non-expressing cells, resulting in a mosaic-like pattern. On the contrary, DCIS (n=32) uniformly lacked immunoreactive S100-β; S100-α was diffusely expressed in 24 (68.8%) DCIS (three solid/comedo, 13 cribriform, four endocrine, one micropapillary, three papillary variants) and negative in the remaining eight (31.2%) DCIS (one cribriform, two micropapillary, four papillary and one apocrine variants). In conclusion, in contrast to usual epithelial hyperplasia that expresses both S100-α and S100-β in a heterogeneous pattern, DCIS can express only S100-α in a monotonous pattern, possibly signifying unidirectional differentiation toward secretory glandular epithelium.     

Spindle cell carcinoma progressed from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

The author reports a very rare case of spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) of the urinary bladder progressed from ordinary papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). A 63-year-old man complained of hematuria. A transurethral endoscopic examination revealed a papillary tumor, and transuthetral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) was performed and was diagnosed as ordinary papillary urothelial TCC. Since then, he was treated with TUR-BT eight times. Chemotherapy, radiation, radical cystectomy and lymph nodes dissection were performed 16 years after the first TUR-BT. However, he developed rectal mucosal metastasis. He is now alive 17 years after the first presentation. All the TUR-BT specimens were ordinary papillary TCCs without invasion (pTa). Immunohistochemically, the TUR-BT specimens were positive for pancytokeratin, high molecular weight cytokeratin (CK), CK 5/6, CK 7, CK 18, CK 19, CK 20, p53, p63, Ki-67 (10%), and negative for other antigens examined including vimentin. The cystectomy bladder specimens show broad ulcers and polypoid lesions, and malignant spindle cells (SpCC) invading into muscular layer were present. No TCC elements were recognized. The tumor cells were positive strongly for vimentin, and less strongly for pancytokeratin, high molecular weight cytokeratin, CK 5/6, CK 14, CK 18, p53, p63 and Ki-67 (95%), and negative for other antigens examined. The rectal metastatic lesion showed SpCC without TCC elements, and were strongly positive for vimentin, and weakly positive for pancytokeratin, S100 protein, p53, p63, Ki-67 (90%), neuron-specific enolase, CD56, KIT and PDGFRA. It was negative for other antigen examined. It is strongly suggested that the present SpCC were progressed from ordinary TCC.     

Immunophenotypic overlap between adenoid cystic carcinoma and collagenous spherulosis of the breast: potential diagnostic pitfalls using myoepithelial markers.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is a rare neoplasm whose cribriform architecture may mimic invasive cribriform carcinoma, cribriform ductal carcinoma in situ, and collagenous spherulosis. The diagnosis may be even more challenging in needle core biopsies. Immunohistochemical expression of p63 and c-kit distinguishes adenoid cystic carcinoma from invasive cribriform carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ. A formal comparison of the immunophenotype of adenoid cystic carcinoma to collagenous spherulosis has not been reported. Of concern is the overlap in myoepithelial markers between these two entities. Both may express S100, smooth muscle actin, and p63. This overlap may cause diagnostic confusion yet is under-emphasized in the literature. The expression profile of newer myoepithelial markers has not been studied in this setting. We evaluated smooth muscle actin, p63, calponin, smooth muscle myosin heavy chain, as well as c-kit, in nine cases of cribriform pattern adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast in comparison to 12 cases of collagenous spherulosis. Both entities strongly expressed p63 and smooth muscle actin; in adenoid cystic carcinoma, the basaloid myoepithelial-like tumor cells expressed these markers, but the ductular epithelial cells did not. Neither calponin nor smooth muscle myosin heavy chain was expressed in adenoid cystic carcinoma but both were strongly expressed in collagenous spherulosis. Whereas the ductular epithelial cells of adenoid cystic carcinoma were positive for c-kit in all cases, collagenous spherulosis was negative for c-kit. Positive p63 expression by a cribriform breast lesion is not sufficiently specific to confirm a diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma. A broader panel that includes calponin or smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and c-kit is required to exclude collagenous spherulosis in settings in which the distinctive morphologic features that separate these entities are not conspicuously present. Reliance on p63 or smooth muscle actin alone poses a potential diagnostic pitfall in evaluating cribriform breast lesions.     

Distribution of p63, cytokeratins 5/6 and cytokeratin 14 in 51 normal and 400 neoplastic human tissue samples using TARP-4 multi-tumor tissue microarray

p63, cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 and CK 14 have been employed in diagnostic pathology as markers of basal, squamous and myoepithelial differentiation in several types of human neoplasms; however, there is scant data on the concurrent expression of these markers in large series of human neoplasms. We analyzed the distribution of these three immunohistochemical markers in 51 normal human tissue samples, 350 carcinomas, 25 malignant melanomas (MMs), and 25 glioblastomas using three serial sections of tissue array research program (TARP)-4 multi-tumor tissue microarray. Also, we performed double immunostainings to characterize the differential distribution of p63/CK 5/6 and p63/CK 14 in normal breast, salivary gland and skin. p63, CK 5/6 and CK 14 were expressed in basal cells of the prostate and respiratory epithelia and in breast and bronchial myoepithelial cells. p63 was also expressed in cytotrophoblast cells of human placenta and in scattered cells of lymph node germinal center. CK 5/6 and CK 14 also stained the cytoplasm of basal cells of esophageal stratified squamous epithelium and transitional epithelial cells of the bladder. No mesenchymal, neural, endothelial, smooth muscle or adipose cells were stained by any of the markers. p63, CK 5/6, and CK 14 were respectively expressed in 92.6%, 75.0%, and 52.9% of the squamous cell carcinomas of the lung, 10.2%, 20.0%, and 7.4% of the ductal carcinomas of the breast, 12.9%, 34.4%, and 11.8% of the serous and 25.0%, 0%, and 0% of the endometrioid carcinomas of the ovary. Lung, prostate and colonic adenocarcinomas, as well as MMs and glioblastomas were only rarely decorated by one of the markers. Only matched samples of 16 squamous cell carcinomas and two ductal carcinomas of the breast co-expressed these three markers. In double immunostainings, p63-CK 5/6, as well as p63-CK 14 were co-expressed by basal/myoepithelial cells of the salivary glands and basal cells of the epidermis. Our results demonstrate that p63, CK 5/6 and CK 14 may be used together in immunohistochemical panels to characterize squamous differentiation in poorly differentiated carcinomas or carcinomas of unknown origin.     

Distribution of intermediate filament proteins in developing and adult salivary glands in man

Summary Adult and developing salivary glands were investigated using five monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratins (CKs) and vimentin. Acinar cells displayed mainly CK 18 whereas CKs 7, 17 and 19 were only detected in duct and myoepithelial cells. All epithelial and myoepithelial cells were unreactive for one vimentin antibody (Vim 9) whereas with the other (Vim 24), myoepithelial cells and basal cells of excretory ducts were stained. Fetal cells showed the CK pattern of duct cells. At gestational week 18, a reaction for both vimentin antibodies could be found in basal cells of terminal tubules. Although vim 9 reactivity has been shown for a number of salivary neoplasms, it has not been detected in any adult epithelial salivary tissue. The finding of this reactivity in the fetal gland indicates that the expression of this intermediate filament protein in certain salivary neoplasms may be a sign of dedifferentiation resulting in the expression of a filament pattern found in an earlier stage of gland development.