Teratoma

New germ cell cancer research from Washington University discussed

Teratoma Library Library Home This article was published in Clinical Oncology Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"Current immunohistochemical markers Such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), glypican-3. cytokeratin (CK) 7, and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) used to distinguish YST from CCC lack adequate sensitivity and specificity. Here by immunohistochemistry. we investigated a novel marker SALL4 in 98 GCTs (29 YSTs, 18 dysgerminomas. 6 gonadoblastomas, 6 embryonal carcinomas, 15 immature and 12 Mature teratomas. 7 carcinoid tumors, 3 strumal carcinoids, and 2 struma ovarii) with particular interest of exploring SALL4 to distinguish YST from CCC. One hundred sixty-three non-GCTs including 45 CCCs were also stained. We found that SALL4 is strongly positive in more than 90% tumor cells in all YSTs, dysgerminomas, gonadoblastomas, and embryonal carcinomas. Variable SALL4 staining is seen in 11 of 15 immature teratomas. All other GCTs included in this Study are negative for SALL4. Except 3 CCCs with focal SALL4 staining (< 15% tumor cells), SALL4 is negative in the remaining 160 non-GCTs. We also compared SALL4 with AFP, glypican-3, CK7, and EMA in all YSTs and CCCs. AFP and glypican-3 are positive in 24 (83%) and 20 (69%) YSTs, respectively, whereas 16 (35%) and 13(28%) CCCs show positive AFP and glypican-3 staining, respectively. Three (10%) and 4 (14%) YSTs show focal (< 21% tumor cells) CK7 and EMA staining, respectively. CK7 and EMA are positive in all 45 CCCs but 3 (7%) and 1 (2%) cases show staining in less than 30% tumor cells, respectively. Our findings indicate that SALL4 is a novel sensitive and specific marker for ovarian primitive GCTs," wrote D.F. Cao and colleagues, Washington University.

The researchers concluded: "SALL4 is particularly useful in distinguishing YST from CCC and better than AFP., glypican-3, CK7, and EMA."

Cao and colleagues published the results of their research in American Journal of Surgical Pathology (SALL4 Is a Novel Sensitive and Specific Marker of Ovarian Primitive Germ Cell Tumors and Is Particularly Useful in Distinguishing Yolk Sac Tumor From Clear Cell Carcinoma. American Journal of Surgical Pathology, 2009;33(6):894-904).

For additional information, contact D.F. Cao, Washington University, Lauren V Ackerman Laboratory Surgery Pathology, Division Anatomy & Molecular Pathology, Dept. of Pathology & Immunology, School Medical, 660 S Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8118, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.

The publisher of the American Journal of Surgical Pathology can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.

Keywords: United States, St. Louis, Carcinoid Tumor, Diagnostics, Dysgerminoma, Embryonal Cancer, Germ Cell Cancer, Germ Cell Carcinoma, Oncology, P19 Embryonal Carcinoma, Pathology, Teratoma, Urology, Washington University.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.