Journal article
Differential Distribution of the Neuron-Associated Class III β-Tubulin in Neuroendocrine Lung Tumors
Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (1976), v 124(4), pp 535-544
01 Apr 2000
PMID: 10747310
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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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Details
- Title
- Differential Distribution of the Neuron-Associated Class III β-Tubulin in Neuroendocrine Lung Tumors
- Creators
- Christos D. Katsetos - St. Christopher's Hospital for ChildrenGeorge Kontogeorgos - Drexel UniversityJennian F. Geddes - Drexel UniversityMary M. Herman - Drexel UniversityHera Tsimara-Papastamatiou - Drexel UniversityYunxia Yu - Drexel UniversityLazaros I. Sakkas - Drexel UniversityMaria Tsokos - Drexel UniversityArthur S. Patchefsky - Drexel UniversityHormoz Ehya - Drexel UniversityHarry S. Cooper - Drexel UniversityJavier Provencio - Drexel UniversityAnthony J. Spano - Drexel UniversityAnthony Frankfurter - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine (1976), v 124(4), pp 535-544
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000086508900012
- Other Identifier
- 991019346720304721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Medicine, Research & Experimental
- Pathology