THE CELL-ADHESION MOLECULE, E-CADHERIN, DISTINGUISHES MESOTHELIAL CELLS FROM CARCINOMA-CELLS IN FLUIDS

Citation
K. Schofield et al., THE CELL-ADHESION MOLECULE, E-CADHERIN, DISTINGUISHES MESOTHELIAL CELLS FROM CARCINOMA-CELLS IN FLUIDS, Cancer cytopathology, 81(5), 1997, pp. 293-298
Citations number
17
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Oncology
Journal title
Cancer cytopathology
ISSN journal
0008-543X → ACNP
Volume
81
Issue
5
Year of publication
1997
Pages
293 - 298
Database
ISI
SICI code
0008-543X(1997)81:5<293:TCMEDM>2.0.ZU;2-M
Abstract
BACKGROUND, The distinction between benign reactive mesothelial cells and well differentiated carcinoma can be difficult in pleural, periton eal, and especially pericardial fluids. E-cadherin is an adhesion prot ein that is specifically expressed in cells of epithelial lineage. In this study, anti-E-cadherin antibodies were used to identify and disti nguish carcinoma cells from reactive mesothelial cells. METHODS. Pleur al, peritoneal, and pericardial fluids were prepared using the Cytyc T hin Prep((TM)) processor. The specimens were comprised of a mix of 45 cases that were diagnosed as carcinoma, suspicious, or reactive by Pap anicolaou staining of routine material seen by the authors' service. R outine immunologic techniques were used with a commercially available E-cadherin antibody. RESULTS, In most cases of carcinoma, tumor cells showed a strong positive membranous reaction product (32 of 37). This included four cases that were not cytomorphologically diagnosed as mal ignant, but subsequently proved to be malignant. E-cadherin staining w as not observed in five tumors, two of which were not expected to expr ess this protein. One benign case showed cells staining for E-cadherin , although the cells were not malignant by morphologic criteria. Becau se this case was a surgical pelvic washing, these cells more likely we re epithelial contaminants than true false-positives. CONCLUSIONS, The epithelial specific cell-cell adhesion marker E-cadherin reliably dis tinguishes reactive mesothelial cells from carcinoma and is a useful a djunctive test to distinguish benign reactive mesothelial cells from w ell differentiated carcinoma cells in fluid specimens. (C) 1997 Americ an Cancer Society.