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Differential Distribution of the Neuron-Associated Class III β-Tubulin in Neuroendocrine Lung Tumors
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Differential Distribution of the Neuron-Associated Class III β-Tubulin in Neuroendocrine Lung Tumors

Christos D. Katsetos, George Kontogeorgos, Jennian F. Geddes, Mary M. Herman, Hera Tsimara-Papastamatiou, Yunxia Yu, Lazaros I. Sakkas, Maria Tsokos, Arthur S. Patchefsky, Hormoz Ehya, …
Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (1976), v 124(4), pp 535-544
01 Apr 2000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5858/2000-124-0535-DDOTNA
PMID: 10747310
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Abstract Objective.—To study the immunoreactivity profile of the neuron-associated class III β-tubulin isotype (β III) in epithelial lung tumors. Design.—One hundred four formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary and metastatic lung cancer specimens were immunostained with an anti–β III mouse monoclonal antibody (TuJ1) and an anti–β III affinity-purified rabbit antiserum. Paraffin sections from fetal, infantile, and adult nonneoplastic lung tissues were also examined. Results.—In the fetal airway epithelium, β III staining is detected transiently in rare Kulchitsky-like cells from lung tissues corresponding to the pseudoglandular and canalicular but not the saccular or alveolar stages of development. β III is absent in healthy, hyperplastic, metaplastic, and dysplastic airway epithelium of the adult lung. In contrast, β III is highly expressed in small cell lung cancer, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and in some non–small cell lung cancers, particularly adenocarcinomas. There is no correlation between expression of β III and generic neuroendocrine markers, such as chromogranin A and/or synaptophysin, in pulmonary adenocarcinomas. Also, focal β III staining is present in primary and metastatic adenocarcinomas (to the lung) originating in the colon, prostate, and ovary. β III is expressed to a much lesser extent in atypical carcinoids and is rarely detectable in typical carcinoids and squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. The distribution of β III in small cell lung cancer and adenocarcinoma metastases to regional lymph nodes and brain approaches 100% of tumor cells, which is substantially greater than in the primary tumors. Conclusions.—In the context of neuroendocrine lung tumors, β III immunoreactivity is a molecular signature of high-grade malignant neoplasms (small cell lung cancer and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma) although its importance in atypical carcinoids must be evaluated further. In addition, β III may be a useful diagnostic marker in distinguishing between small cell lung cancers and certain non–small cell lung cancers (poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas), especially in small biopsy specimens. To our knowledge, β III is the only tumor biomarker that exhibits a substantially more widespread distribution in poorly differentiated than in better differentiated pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. However, the significance of β III phenotypes in non–small cell lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, with respect to neuroendocrine differentiation and prognostic value, requires further evaluation.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Pathology
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