Difference between revisions of "Immunohistochemical staining"

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'''Immunohistochemical staining''' is a godsend.  It helps when ya can't quite figure it out from the histology or with conventional [[stains]].   
[[Image:Small_intestine_-_ck20_-_intermed_mag.jpg||thumb|400px|[[CK20]] staining of normal small intestinal mucosa.]]
'''Immunohistochemical staining''', also '''immunostaining''', is a powerful tool.  It is abbreviated '''IHC'''.
 
==Utility==
Use of immunohistochemistry:<Ref name=Ref_PCBoD8_175>{{Ref PCPBoD8|175}}</ref>
#[[Unknown primary tumours]].
#Poorly differentiated tumours.
#Prognostic markers, e.g. ERBB2 (HER2).
#Proving clonality - in the context of hematologic malignancies.
#Mutation specific antibodies, eg. [[IDH-1]] R132H.
 
Method was introduced in 1941 by Coons.<ref>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Coons | first1 = AH. | title = The development of immunohistochemistry. | journal = Ann N Y Acad Sci | volume = 177 | issue =  | pages = 5-9 | month = Jun | year = 1971 | doi =  | PMID = 4400556 }}</ref>
 
==Theory==
*Antigen retrieval.
*Antibody binds to the antigen.
*Amplification - needed as the signal is usually too weak.
 
===Signaling systems===
*Avidin-biotin complex.
**Older.<ref>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Vosse | first1 = BA. | last2 = Seelentag | first2 = W. | last3 = Bachmann | first3 = A. | last4 = Bosman | first4 = FT. | last5 = Yan | first5 = P. | title = Background staining of visualization systems in immunohistochemistry: comparison of the Avidin-Biotin Complex system and the EnVision+ system. | journal = Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol | volume = 15 | issue = 1 | pages = 103-7 | month = Mar | year = 2007 | doi =  | PMID = 17536316 }}</ref>
**May suffer from endogenous avidin-biotin activity.<ref name=pmid17536316>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Vosse | first1 = BA. | last2 = Seelentag | first2 = W. | last3 = Bachmann | first3 = A. | last4 = Bosman | first4 = FT. | last5 = Yan | first5 = P. | title = Background staining of visualization systems in immunohistochemistry: comparison of the Avidin-Biotin Complex system and the EnVision+ system. | journal = Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol | volume = 15 | issue = 1 | pages = 103-7 | month = Mar | year = 2007 | doi =  | PMID = 17536316 }}</ref>
***Higher false positive rates than with polymer based methods.
*Polymer based methods.
**Newer.
**Less prone to false positives.
***Negative controls not needed or infrequently required.<ref name=pmid24714041>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Torlakovic | first1 = EE. | last2 = Francis | first2 = G. | last3 = Garratt | first3 = J. | last4 = Gilks | first4 = B. | last5 = Hyjek | first5 = E. | last6 = Ibrahim | first6 = M. | last7 = Miller | first7 = R. | last8 = Nielsen | first8 = S. | last9 = Petcu | first9 = EB. | title = Standardization of negative controls in diagnostic immunohistochemistry: recommendations from the international ad hoc expert panel. | journal = Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol | volume = 22 | issue = 4 | pages = 241-52 | month = Apr | year = 2014 | doi = 10.1097/PAI.0000000000000069 | PMID = 24714041 }}</ref>
 
===Signal assessment===
*Manual (Morphology) vs. automated (Speed) counting.
*Choice of proper chromogen.
**Dynamic range of DAB is 1-2logs vs. fluorescent probes 2-3logs.
**Protein expression range can be up to 4 logs in gene amplification (information is missed in IHC).
**FastRed stains are more suited in melanocytic tumors than DAB.
*Use of established cutoffs for "intensity" and for "positive" staining.
*Visual pattern recogniton vs. detecting spatial subtle changes.
*Detecting differences at low intensity with human eye is less accurate.
 
==Quality control==
This is an evolving area in pathology that has been ignored for a surprisingly long time. 
 
It is touched upon the in the ''[[quality]]'' article in the ''[[Quality#Immunohistochemistry|immunohistochemistry]]'' section.
 
There are at least 62 pre-analytical variables to be considered, that may affect staining results.<ref>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Engel | first1 = KB. | last2 = Moore | first2 = HM. | title = Effects of preanalytical variables on the detection of proteins by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. | journal = Arch Pathol Lab Med | volume = 135 | issue = 5 | pages = 537-43 | month = May | year = 2011 | doi = 10.1043/2010-0702-RAIR.1 | PMID = 21526952 }}</ref>
 
==Interpretation==
To determine whether a stain is (1) done correctly, and (2) positive, one needs to know:
#What tissues it stains:
#*Tumour.
#*Normal tissue.
#How it stains the various tissues:
#*Patchy.
#*Diffuse.
#Where it stains the various tissues:
#*Nucleus.
#*Cytoplasm.
#*Membrane.
#*A combination of the above.
 
Generally, interpretations can be subjective, and this is especially true when the staining is weak and focal. In other words, "... your weak [positive] stain might be somebody else’s negative."<ref>URL: [http://bitesizebio.com/articles/immunohistochemistry-getting-the-stain-you-want/ http://bitesizebio.com/articles/immunohistochemistry-getting-the-stain-you-want/]. Accessed on: 1 September 2012.</ref>
 
The cynical might say it is an unwritten rule that: "... if the stain is weak and focal it can be anything you want to make it -- positive or negative -- so it fits perfectly with your diagnosis!"
 
In cases where the morphology is unclear, it is judicious to have two or more immunostains that support the diagnosis, and negative stains for important entities in the differential diagnosis.
 
Publications with contradicting results are not uncommon. Differences can arise from the fixation, processing protocol, antibody clone and interpretation.
 
According to Galloway, one third pathologists substantially overestimate the diagnostic significance of unexpected immunohistochemical staining results.<ref name=pmid21660231>{{Cite journal | last1 = Galloway | first1 = M. | title = Base-rate error in the interpretation of immunohistochemistry. | journal = Patholog Res Int | volume = 2011 | issue =  | pages = 636495 | month =  | year = 2011 | doi = 10.4061/2011/636495 | PMID = 21660231 }}</ref>


==General (malignant) differential diagnosis==
==General (malignant) differential diagnosis==
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{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | A | | | | | | | | | | |A=Malignancy}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | A | | | | | | | | | | |A=Malignancy}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|^|-|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | |G |B=Carcinoma|C=Sarcoma|D=Germ Cell<br>Tumour|E=Neuroendocrine<br>carcinoma|F=Lymphoma|G=Melanoma}}
{{familytree | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | |G |B=Epithelial<br>(Carcinoma)|C=Mesenchymal<br>(Sarcoma)|D=Germ cell<br>tumour|E=[[Neuroendocrine tumours|Neuroendocrine<br>carcinoma]]|F=Hematologic|G=[[Melanoma|Malignant<br>melanoma]]}}
{{familytree/end}}
{{familytree/end}}


*Carcinoma
*Carcinoma.
**AE1/AE3 - pankeratin.
**[[AE1/AE3]] - pankeratin.
*Sarcoma
**Others: [[EMA]], HMWK, LMWK.
**vimentin.
*Sarcoma.
***many pathologists think this stain is totally useless
**Vimentin.
*Germ cell tumours
***Many pathologists think this stain is totally useless.
**PLAP (placental-like alkaline phosphatase) - not very sensitive.<ref name=pmid18045648>{{cite journal |author=Iczkowski KA, Butler SL, Shanks JH, ''et al'' |title=Trials of new germ cell immunohistochemical stains in 93 extragonadal and metastatic germ cell tumors |journal=Hum. Pathol. |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=275-81 |year=2008 |month=February |pmid=18045648 |doi=10.1016/j.humpath.2007.07.002 |url=}}</ref>
*Germ cell tumours.
*Neuroendocrine carcinoma
**OCT4.
**chromogranin.
***PLAP ([[placental alkaline phosphatase]]) - not very sensitive.<ref name=pmid18045648>{{cite journal |author=Iczkowski KA, Butler SL, Shanks JH, ''et al'' |title=Trials of new germ cell immunohistochemical stains in 93 extragonadal and metastatic germ cell tumors |journal=Hum. Pathol. |volume=39 |issue=2 |pages=275-81 |year=2008 |month=February |pmid=18045648 |doi=10.1016/j.humpath.2007.07.002 |url=}}</ref>
**synaptophysin.
**[[Glypican 3]] +ve.
**CD56.
*Neuroendocrine carcinoma.
*Melanoma
**Chromogranin A.
**Synaptophysin.
**[[CD56]].
**CD57.<ref name=pmid12727026>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Kurokawa | first1 = M. | last2 = Nabeshima | first2 = K. | last3 = Akiyama | first3 = Y. | last4 = Maeda | first4 = S. | last5 = Nishida | first5 = T. | last6 = Nakayama | first6 = F. | last7 = Amano | first7 = M. | last8 = Ogata | first8 = K. | last9 = Setoyama | first9 = M. | title = CD56: a useful marker for diagnosing Merkel cell carcinoma. | journal = J Dermatol Sci | volume = 31 | issue = 3 | pages = 219-24 | month = May | year = 2003 | doi =  | PMID = 12727026 }}</ref>
*[[Melanoma]].
**S-100, HMB-45, Melan A (MART-1).
**S-100, HMB-45, Melan A (MART-1).
*Lymphoma
***Additional: melanoma cocktail (HMB-45, MART-1)<ref name=pmid18360125>{{cite journal |author=Jani P, Chetty R, Ghazarian DM |title=An unusual composite pilomatrix carcinoma with intralesional melanocytes: differential diagnosis, immunohistochemical evaluation, and review of the literature |journal=Am J Dermatopathol |volume=30 |issue=2 |pages=174–7 |year=2008 |month=April |pmid=18360125 |doi=10.1097/DAD.0b013e318165b8fe |url=}}</ref>, microphthalmia,<ref>URL: [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/156845 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/156845]. Accessed on: 18 August 2010.</ref> tyrosinase.<ref name=pmid17227112>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Roma | first1 = AA. | last2 = Magi-Galluzzi | first2 = C. | last3 = Zhou | first3 = M. | title = Differential expression of melanocytic markers in myoid, lipomatous, and vascular components of renal angiomyolipomas. | journal = Arch Pathol Lab Med | volume = 131 | issue = 1 | pages = 122-5 | month = Jan | year = 2007 | doi = 10.1043/1543-2165(2007)131[122:DEOMMI]2.0.CO;2 | PMID = 17227112 }}</ref>
**CD45 (common leukocyte antigen).
*Hematologic.
**Lymphoma/leukemia.
***CD45 (common leukocyte antigen).
***CD30.
**[[Plasma cell]]:
***Kappa.
***Lambda.
***CD138.


==Keratins==
==Keratins==
Classification:<ref>[http://www.nordiqc.org/Epitopes/Cytokeratins/cytokeratins.htm http://www.nordiqc.org/Epitopes/Cytokeratins/cytokeratins.htm]</ref>
{{Main|Keratins}}
*Low molecular weight keratins (LMWK): 7, 8/18, 19, 20.
Mark epithelial cells. Are typically seen in [[carcinoma]]s.
*High molecular weight keratins (HWMK): 4, 10, 13, 14, 17.


Uses:
==Organ specific==
*CK8 (CAM5.2)<ref>{{cite journal |author=Murata T, Nakashima Y, Takeuchi M, Sueishi K, Inomata H |title=The diagnostic use of low molecular weight keratin expression in sebaceous carcinoma |journal=Pathol. Res. Pract. |volume=189 |issue=8 |pages=888–93 |year=1993 |month=September |pmid=7508102 |doi= |url=}}</ref> - used to look for mets from breast cancer in axillary lymph nodes.
===Thyroid and lung===
*HWMK - squamous cell carcinoma.
*TTF-1 ([[thyroid transcription factor-1]]) -- +ve in thyroid gland malignancies.
**Very good for [[breast]] vs. [[lung]].<ref name=pmid18318581>{{cite journal |author=Jagirdar J |title=Application of immunohistochemistry to the diagnosis of primary and metastatic carcinoma to the lung |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=132 |issue=3 |pages=384–96 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18318581 |doi= |url=http://journals.allenpress.com/jrnlserv/?request=get-abstract&issn=0003-9985&volume=132&page=384}}</ref>
***Often negative in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (as with [[CK7]] & [[CK20]]), though HMWK is usually positive.
*Thyroglobulin usu. +ve in the thyroid.<ref>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Dralle | first1 = H. | last2 = Böcker | first2 = W. | title = [Thyroglobulin immunohistochemistry: new aspects of pathophysiology and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant goitre (author's transl)]. | journal = Langenbecks Arch Chir | volume = 356 | issue = 3 | pages = 205-12 | month =  | year = 1982 | doi =  | PMID = 7070163 }}</ref>
**Negative in classic [[medullary thyroid carcinoma]].<ref name=pmid8454270>{{Cite journal  | last1 = de Micco | first1 = C. | last2 = Chapel | first2 = F. | last3 = Dor | first3 = AM. | last4 = Garcia | first4 = S. | last5 = Ruf | first5 = J. | last6 = Carayon | first6 = P. | last7 = Henry | first7 = JF. | last8 = Lebreuil | first8 = G. | title = Thyroglobulin in medullary thyroid carcinoma: immunohistochemical study with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. | journal = Hum Pathol | volume = 24 | issue = 3 | pages = 256-62 | month = Mar | year = 1993 | doi =  | PMID = 8454270 }}</ref>


==Organ specific==
Image: [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lung_adenocarcinoma_-_TTF-1_-_high_mag.jpg Adenocarcinoma with nuclear TTF-1 positivity (WC)].
===Thyroid===
*TTF-1 (thyroid transcription factor-1)
**Very good for breast vs. lung.<ref name=pmid18318581>{{cite journal |author=Jagirdar J |title=Application of immunohistochemistry to the diagnosis of primary and metastatic carcinoma to the lung |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=132 |issue=3 |pages=384–96 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18318581 |doi= |url=http://journals.allenpress.com/jrnlserv/?request=get-abstract&issn=0003-9985&volume=132&page=384}}</ref>
***Negative in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (as with CK7 & CK20), though HMWK is usually positive.


===Breast markers===
===Breast markers===
*GCDFP-15 (aka BRST2) -- specific, but NOT sensitive.
*[[GCDFP-15]] ([[AKA]] BRST-2) -- specific, but NOT sensitive.
*ER (estrogen receptor) - in normal breast.
*[[Estrogen receptor|ER]] (estrogen receptor) - in normal [[breast]].
*PR (progesterone receptor) - in normal breast.
*PR (progesterone receptor) - in normal breast.
*HER2/neu - pathological, assoc. with worse prognosis.
*HER2/neu - pathological, assoc. with worse prognosis.
**HER2/neu+ cancers Tx'ed with trastuzumab (Herceptin).
**HER2/neu+ cancers Tx'ed with [[trastuzumab]] (Herceptin).


===Prostate===
===Prostate gland===
*PSA - prostatic specific antigen.
*[[PSA]] - [[prostate gland|prostatic]]-specific antigen.
*PSAP - prostatic specific acid phosphatase.
*[[PSAP]] - prostatic-specific acid phosphatase.
*p63 - stains nuclei of basal cell in normal prostate.
**May be positive in hindgut [[neuroendocrine tumour]]s.<ref name=pmid1712549>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Azumi | first1 = N. | last2 = Traweek | first2 = ST. | last3 = Battifora | first3 = H. | title = Prostatic acid phosphatase in carcinoid tumors. Immunohistochemical and immunoblot studies. | journal = Am J Surg Pathol | volume = 15 | issue = 8 | pages = 785-90 | month = Aug | year = 1991 | doi =  | PMID = 1712549 }}</ref>
*34betaE12 - stains basals cells in normal prostate.
*[[p63]] - stains nuclei of basal cell in normal [[prostate]].
*34betaE12 - stains basal cells in normal prostate.
*AMACR (racemase, P504S<ref>[http://www.antibodies-online.com/antibody/125649/P504S+alphaMethylacylCoA+Racemace+AMACR+Human/ http://www.antibodies-online.com/antibody/125649/P504S+alphaMethylacylCoA+Racemace+AMACR+Human/]</ref>) - present in adenocarcinoma (NOT in normal prostate).
*AMACR (racemase, P504S<ref>[http://www.antibodies-online.com/antibody/125649/P504S+alphaMethylacylCoA+Racemace+AMACR+Human/ http://www.antibodies-online.com/antibody/125649/P504S+alphaMethylacylCoA+Racemace+AMACR+Human/]</ref>) - present in adenocarcinoma (NOT in normal prostate).
*CAP cocktail - AKA ''CAP'' (AMACR p63 and 34βE12).
*[[Androgen receptor|AR]] - usually present in prostate confined cancers.<ref name=pmid20878946>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Fleischmann | first1 = A. | last2 = Rocha | first2 = C. | last3 = Schobinger | first3 = S. | last4 = Seiler | first4 = R. | last5 = Wiese | first5 = B. | last6 = Thalmann | first6 = GN. | title = Androgen receptors are differentially expressed in Gleason patterns of prostate cancer and down-regulated in matched lymph node metastases. | journal = Prostate | volume = 71 | issue = 5 | pages = 453-60 | month = Apr | year = 2011 | doi = 10.1002/pros.21259 | PMID = 20878946 }}</ref>
**Image: [http://www.webpathology.com/image.asp?case=96&n=5 CAP CAP cocktail (webpathology.com)].
*CAP cocktail - [[AKA]] ''CAP'', [[AKA]] ''PIN-4'', [[AKA]] ''PIN''.
**Consists of: AMACR, [[p63]] and HMWK.
**Image: [http://www.webpathology.com/image.asp?case=96&n=5 CAP cocktail (webpathology.com)].


===CRC markers===
===[[Colorectal tumours|Colorectal carcinoma]] markers===
*CEA.
*[[CK20]].
*CDX2.
**Uncommon in primary lung, breast, pancreas, kidney, gallbladder, liver, urinary bladder, thyroid gland.<ref name=pmid15205684 >{{Cite journal  | last1 = Kaimaktchiev | first1 = V. | last2 = Terracciano | first2 = L. | last3 = Tornillo | first3 = L. | last4 = Spichtin | first4 = H. | last5 = Stoios | first5 = D. | last6 = Bundi | first6 = M. | last7 = Korcheva | first7 = V. | last8 = Mirlacher | first8 = M. | last9 = Loda | first9 = M. | title = The homeobox intestinal differentiation factor CDX2 is selectively expressed in gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas. | journal = Mod Pathol | volume = 17 | issue = 11 | pages = 1392-9 | month = Nov | year = 2004 | doi = 10.1038/modpathol.3800205 | PMID = 15205684 }}</ref>
*[[CEA]].


===Small bowel===
===[[Small bowel]]===
*CDX2.
*[[CDX2]].
*villin.
*[[Villin]].


===Kidney===  
===[[Kidney tumours|Kidney]]===  
[[Renal cell carcinoma]]
[[Renal cell carcinoma]]:
*RCC, EMA, CD10.
*RCC, [[EMA]], CD10.
*CK7 (-ve in clear cell RCC).
*[[CK7]] -ve in clear cell RCC.
*[[AMACR]] (+ve in papillary RCC).
*[[AMACR]] +ve in papillary RCC.
*D2-40 (+ve in ChRCC). (???)
*D2-40 +ve in ChRCC.


Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis
[[Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis]]:
*CD68 (for macrophages).
*CD68 (for macrophages).


===Ovary===
===[[Ovarian tumours|Ovary]]===
*CA125, CK7+, CK20-.
*[[CA125]], [[CK7]]+, CK20-.
*WT1 -- 90% in serous +ve.
*WT1 -- 90% in serous +ve.


====Serous markers====
====Serous markers====
*WT-1, CA-125, D2-40.
*[[WT-1]], [[CA125]], D2-40.


===Liver===
===[[Liver neoplasms|Liver]]===
*AFP (alpha-fetaprotein).
*AFP (alpha-fetaprotein).
*Glypican-3.
*Glypican-3.
**HCC stains with glypican 3, while liver with dysplastic changes and/or [[cirrhosis|cirrhotic changes]] does not.<ref>{{cite journal  | author=Anatelli F, Chuang ST, Yang XJ, Wang HL. |title=Value of glypican 3 immunostaining in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma on needle biopsy |journal=Am J Clin Pathol. |volume=130 |issue= 2 |pages= 219-23? |year= 2008 |pmid= 18628090 |doi= 10.1309/WMB5PX57Y4P8QCTY }}</ref>
**[[Hepatocellular carcinoma]] (HCC) stains with glypican 3, while [[liver]] with dysplastic changes and/or [[cirrhosis|cirrhotic changes]] does not.<ref>{{cite journal  | author=Anatelli F, Chuang ST, Yang XJ, Wang HL. |title=Value of glypican 3 immunostaining in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma on needle biopsy |journal=Am J Clin Pathol. |volume=130 |issue= 2 |pages= 219-23? |year= 2008 |pmid= 18628090 |doi= 10.1309/WMB5PX57Y4P8QCTY }}</ref>
*HepPar-1 (hepatocytes paraffin antibody 1) - labels hepatocellular mitochondria.<ref name=pmid12502967>The diagnostic value of hepatocyte paraffin antibody 1 in differentiating hepatocellular neoplasms from nonhepatic tumors: a review. Lamps LW, Folpe AL. Adv Anat Pathol. 2003 Jan;10(1):39-43. Review. PMID 12502967.</ref>
*[[HepPar-1]] (hepatocytes paraffin antibody 1) - labels hepatocellular mitochondria.<ref name=pmid12502967>The diagnostic value of hepatocyte paraffin antibody 1 in differentiating hepatocellular neoplasms from nonhepatic tumors: a review. Lamps LW, Folpe AL. Adv Anat Pathol. 2003 Jan;10(1):39-43. Review. PMID 12502967.</ref>


HCC vs. cholangiocarcinoma:
[[HCC]] vs. [[cholangiocarcinoma]]:
*TTF-1: ~90-100% +ve (cytoplasmic) in HCC vs. ~10% in choleangiocarcinoma.<ref name=pmid16627262>{{cite journal |author=Lei JY, Bourne PA, diSant'Agnese PA, Huang J |title=Cytoplasmic staining of TTF-1 in the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma vs cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic carcinoma of the liver |journal=Am. J. Clin. Pathol. |volume=125 |issue=4 |pages=519–25 |year=2006 |month=April |pmid=16627262 |doi=10.1309/59TN-EFAL-UL5W-J94M |url=}}</ref>
*TTF-1: ~90-100% +ve (cytoplasmic) in HCC vs. ~10% in cholangiocarcinoma.<ref name=pmid16627262>{{cite journal |author=Lei JY, Bourne PA, diSant'Agnese PA, Huang J |title=Cytoplasmic staining of TTF-1 in the differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma vs cholangiocarcinoma and metastatic carcinoma of the liver |journal=Am. J. Clin. Pathol. |volume=125 |issue=4 |pages=519–25 |year=2006 |month=April |pmid=16627262 |doi=10.1309/59TN-EFAL-UL5W-J94M |url=}}</ref>


===Mesothelium===
===Mesothelium===
*Calretinin.
Panel:<ref name=pmid18318582>{{cite journal |author=Marchevsky AM |title=Application of immunohistochemistry to the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=132 |issue=3 |pages=397-401 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18318582 |doi= |url=http://journals.allenpress.com/jrnlserv/?request=get-abstract&issn=0003-9985&volume=132&page=397}}</ref>
*WT-1.
*Mesothelial markers:
*D2-40.
**Calretinin.
*CK5/6.
**[[WT-1]].
**D2-40.
**[[CK5/6]].
*Carcinoma markers:
**CEA (monoclonal and polyclonal).
**[[TTF-1]].
**[[Ber-EP4]].
**MOC-31.


Typically negative:
Note:
*CEA.
*One should use two mesothelial markers ''and'' two carcinoma markers.<ref name=pmid18318582/>
*TTF-1.


===[[Pancreas]]===
*CK17 - approx. 50% of [[pancreas|pancreatico]]biliary adenocarcinomas & patchy.<ref name=pmid11345833>{{cite journal |author=Goldstein NS, Bassi D |title=Cytokeratins 7, 17, and 20 reactivity in pancreatic and ampulla of vater adenocarcinomas. Percentage of positivity and distribution is affected by the cut-point threshold |journal=Am. J. Clin. Pathol. |volume=115 |issue=5 |pages=695–702 |year=2001 |month=May |pmid=11345833 |doi=10.1309/1NCM-46QX-3B5T-7XHR |url=}}</ref>
*CK19.<ref name=pmid18318589>{{cite journal |author=Geller SA, Dhall D, Alsabeh R |title=Application of immunohistochemistry to liver and gastrointestinal neoplasms: liver, stomach, colon, and pancreas |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=132 |issue=3 |pages=490–9 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18318589 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
===[[Neuropathology]]===
General:
*S-100.
Glial:
*GFAP.
Neuronal:
*Synaptophysin.
*Chromogranin.
Glial/Neuronal:
*[[MAP2]]
*[[CD56]]
Specific entities:
*[[EMA]] +ve: [[meningioma]], [[ependymoma]] (cytoplasm dot-like).<ref name=Ref_PSNP12>{{Ref PSNP|12}}</ref>
*[[ATRX]] -ve: [[astrocytoma]].
*[[INI1]] -ve: [[AT/RT]].
Tumour (low-grade gliomas):
*[[IDH-1]] +ve.
**Usually negative in [[glioblastoma]].
==Miscellaneous==
===Macrophages===
===Macrophages===
{{Main|Histocytoses}}
*CD68.
*CD68.
*CD1a -- +ve in Langerhans histocytes.


===Pancreas===
Special:
*CK17 - approx. 50% of pancreaticobiliary adenocarcinomas & patchy.<ref name=pmid11345833>{{cite journal |author=Goldstein NS, Bassi D |title=Cytokeratins 7, 17, and 20 reactivity in pancreatic and ampulla of vater adenocarcinomas. Percentage of positivity and distribution is affected by the cut-point threshold |journal=Am. J. Clin. Pathol. |volume=115 |issue=5 |pages=695–702 |year=2001 |month=May |pmid=11345833 |doi=10.1309/1NCM-46QX-3B5T-7XHR |url=}}</ref>
*S100 -- +ve in [[Rosai-Dorfman disease]].
*CK19.<ref name=pmid18318589>{{cite journal |author=Geller SA, Dhall D, Alsabeh R |title=Application of immunohistochemistry to liver and gastrointestinal neoplasms: liver, stomach, colon, and pancreas |journal=Arch. Pathol. Lab. Med. |volume=132 |issue=3 |pages=490–9 |year=2008 |month=March |pmid=18318589 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
*CD1a -- +ve in [[Langerhans cell histiocytosis]], Langerhans histocytes.


==One organ vs. another==
Special, less common:
===Cervix vs. uterus===
*HAM56.<ref name=pmid10574605>{{cite journal |author=Pernick NL, DaSilva M, Gangi MD, Crissman J, Adsay V |title="Histiocytic markers" in melanoma |journal=Mod. Pathol. |volume=12 |issue=11 |pages=1072–7 |year=1999 |month=November |pmid=10574605 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
*Cervix (typically): CEA+,<ref name=pmid12647218>{{cite journal |author=Alkushi A, Irving J, Hsu F, ''et al.'' |title=Immunoprofile of cervical and endometrial adenocarcinomas using a tissue microarray |journal=Virchows Arch. |volume=442 |issue=3 |pages=271-7 |year=2003 |month=March |pmid=12647218 |doi=10.1007/s00428-002-0752-4 |url=}}</ref> p16+
*CD163.<ref>URL: [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/605545 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/605545]. Accessed on: 3 February 2011.</ref>
** ... and ER-, PR-, vimentin-
*MAC387.<ref>URL: [http://www.abcam.com/Macrophage-antibody-MAC387-FITC-ab7429.html http://www.abcam.com/Macrophage-antibody-MAC387-FITC-ab7429.html]. Accessed on: 3 February 2011.</ref><ref>URL: [http://www.abcam.com/Macrophage-antibody-MAC387-ab49408.html http://www.abcam.com/Macrophage-antibody-MAC387-ab49408.html]. Accessed on: 3 February 2011.</ref>
*Uterus (typically): vimentin+, ER+, PR+<ref>[http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v19/n8/full/3800620a.html http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v19/n8/full/3800620a.html]</ref>
*CD207 (AKA Langerin) -- +ve in Langerhans histocytes.<ref>URL: [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/604862 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/604862]. Accessed on: 2 February 2011.</ref>
** ... and CEA-, p16-


Additional Ref.:<ref>LAE 15 Jan 2009.</ref>
==One organ versus another==
===Cervix versus uterus===
*Cervix (typically): CEA +ve,<ref name=pmid12647218>{{cite journal |author=Alkushi A, Irving J, Hsu F, ''et al.'' |title=Immunoprofile of cervical and endometrial adenocarcinomas using a tissue microarray |journal=Virchows Arch. |volume=442 |issue=3 |pages=271-7 |year=2003 |month=March |pmid=12647218 |doi=10.1007/s00428-002-0752-4 |url=}}</ref> p16 +ve.
** ... and ER -ve, PR -ve, vimentin -ve.
*Uterus (typically): vimentin +ve, ER +ve, PR +ve.<ref>URL: [http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v19/n8/full/3800620a.html http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v19/n8/full/3800620a.html]</ref>
** ... and CEA -ve, p16 -ve.


===Liver vs. bile duct===
===Liver versus bile duct===
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) vs. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC):<ref name=pmid19173916>[Evaluation of immunohistochemical markers for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma] Dong H, Cong WL, Zhu ZZ, Wang B, Xian ZH, Yu H. Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi. 2008 Sep;30(9):702-5. Chinese. PMID 19173916.</ref>
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) vs. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC):<ref name=pmid19173916>[Evaluation of immunohistochemical markers for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma] Dong H, Cong WL, Zhu ZZ, Wang B, Xian ZH, Yu H. Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi. 2008 Sep;30(9):702-5. Chinese. PMID 19173916.</ref>
*ICC: CK19 (92.5%), MUC-1 (73.8%) +ve.
*ICC: [[CK19]] (92.5%), [[MUC-1]] (73.8%) +ve.
*HCC: HepPar-1 (85.6%), CD34 (87.8%) +ve.
*HCC: HepPar-1 (85.6%), CD34 (87.8%) +ve.
===Prostate versus bladder===
Prostate adenocarcinoma vs. urothelial carcinoma:
*Prostate adenocarcinoma: PSA +ve, PSAP +ve, AR +ve, CK7 -ve, CK20 -ve, GATA3 -ve.
*Urothelial carcinoma: [[GATA3]] +ve, CK7 +ve, CK20 +ve, PSA -ve, PSAP -ve, AR -ve.
===Breast versus ovary===
Breast carcinoma versus ovarian carcinoma:
*Ovary: [[WT-1]] +ve, [[PAX8]] +ve.<ref name=pmid18724243>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Nonaka | first1 = D. | last2 = Chiriboga | first2 = L. | last3 = Soslow | first3 = RA. | title = Expression of pax8 as a useful marker in distinguishing ovarian carcinomas from mammary carcinomas. | journal = Am J Surg Pathol | volume = 32 | issue = 10 | pages = 1566-71 | month = Oct | year = 2008 | doi = 10.1097/PAS.0b013e31816d71ad | PMID = 18724243 }}</ref>
*Breast: mammaglobin +ve,<ref name=pmid18753974>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Kanner | first1 = WA. | last2 = Galgano | first2 = MT. | last3 = Stoler | first3 = MH. | last4 = Mills | first4 = SE. | last5 = Atkins | first5 = KA. | title = Distinguishing breast carcinoma from Müllerian serous carcinoma with mammaglobin and mesothelin. | journal = Int J Gynecol Pathol | volume = 27 | issue = 4 | pages = 491-5 | month = Oct | year = 2008 | doi = 10.1097/PGP.0b013e31817d5340 | PMID = 18753974 }}</ref> BRST2 +ve.


==Lymphomas==
==Lymphomas==
This is covered more extensively in the ''[[lymphoma]]'' article.
===Lymphocytes===
===Lymphocytes===
*CD45 (AKA ''common leukocyte antigen'').
*CD45 ([[AKA]] ''common leukocyte antigen'').


===B-cells===
===B-cells===
*CD20.
*CD20.
*CD19 (flow only).
*CD19 (flow only).
*PAX5.
*CD79a.


Follicular lymphoma:
*CD10+, bcl-6+.
CLL:
*CD5+, CD23+.
Mantle cell lymphoma:
*Cyclin D1+.
===T-cells===
===T-cells===
*CD3 - general T-cell marker (marks both CD4 +ve and CD8 +ve cells).
*CD3 - general T-cell marker (marks both CD4 +ve and CD8 +ve cells).
*CD4.
*CD4.
*CD8.
*CD8.
*CD7.
*CD43.
===Specific entities===
====[[Follicular lymphoma]]====
*CD10 +ve, BCL6 +ve.
====CLL====
*CD5 +ve, [[CD23]] +ve.
====[[Mantle cell lymphoma]]====
*Cyclin D1 +ve.
**[[AKA]] Bcl-1.<ref>URL: [http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Genes/BCL1.html http://atlasgeneticsoncology.org/Genes/BCL1.html]. Accessed on: 17 December 2010.</ref>
====Hodgkin's lymphoma====
This is covered more extensively in the ''[[Hodgkin lymphoma]]'' article.


===Hodgkin's lymphoma===
Classic types:
Classic types:
*CD30 Reed-Sternberg cells (RSCs) +ve ~98%<ref name=wmsp_p567>WMSP P.567.</ref>
*CD30 Reed-Sternberg cells (RSCs) +ve ~98%.<ref name=Ref_WMSP567>{{Ref WMSP|567}}</ref>
*CD15 Reed-Sternberg cells +ve ~80%, stains neutrophils.
*CD15 Reed-Sternberg cells +ve ~80%, stains neutrophils.


==Germ cell tumours==
==Germ cell tumours==
===Seminoma===
{{Main|Germ cell tumours}}
*D2-40.<ref name=pmid18045648/>
===[[Seminoma]]===
*D2-40 +ve.<ref name=pmid18045648/>
*OCT4 +ve.


===Embryonal carcinoma===
===[[Embryonal carcinoma]]===
*CD30+ - cytoplasm, cell membrane, Golgi.
*CD30 +ve - cytoplasm, cell membrane, Golgi.
**NOT positive in seminoma.
**Rarely positive in seminoma.
*CK7 +ve.<ref name=pmid10761461>{{cite journal |author=Cheville JC, Rao S, Iczkowski KA, Lohse CM, Pankratz VS |title=Cytokeratin expression in seminoma of the human testis |journal=Am. J. Clin. Pathol. |volume=113 |issue=4 |pages=583–8 |year=2000 |month=April |pmid=10761461 |doi=10.1309/3QLC-5MF1-JYXU-A5XX |url=}}</ref>
*AE1/AE3 +ve.


===Yolk sac tumour (endodermal sinus tumour)===
===[[Yolk sac tumour]] (endodermal sinus tumour)===
*AFP (alpha fetoprotein)
*AFP (alpha fetoprotein).


===Choriocarcinoma===
===[[Choriocarcinoma]]===
*beta-hCG.
*beta-hCG.


===Mnemonic===
===Bare bones mnemonic for GCTs===
The germ cell tumour (GCT) IHC mnemonic ''ABCD'':  
The germ cell tumour (GCT) IHC mnemonic ''ABCD'':  
*AFP = yolk sac tumour.
*AFP = yolk sac tumour.
Line 170: Line 317:
*D2-40 = seminoma.
*D2-40 = seminoma.


==Sarcomas==
==Spindle cell lesions==
MFH panel (MSH):
{{Main|Spindle cell lesions}}
*CD34 - +ve in [[GIST]]s
Abbreviated spindle cell panel (memory device ''SCADS''):
*S100 - neural differentiation
*S100.
*Desmin - smooth muscle
*CD34.
*MIB1 - proliferation marker (target is Ki-67 protein)
*AE1/AE3.
*CD99 - blue small cell tumours
*Desmin.
*Bcl-2
*SMA.
*PGP 9.5
 
*SMMS - smooth muscle
A [[MFH]] panel:
*Caldesmon - muscle
*CD34 - [[GIST]], [[angiosarcoma]], [[Kaposi sarcoma]], [[solitary fibrous tumour]]/[[hemangiopericytoma]], [[dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans]] (DFSP), [[spindle cell lipoma]].
*PDGFR - GIST
*S-100 - neural differentiation, melanoma.
*Desmin - smooth muscle.
*[[MIB1]] - proliferation marker (target is [[Ki-67]] protein).
*CD99 - blue small cell tumours, membranous staining [[EWS]].
*BCL2 - [[synovial sarcoma]], [[small cell lymphomas]], spindle cell lipoma.<ref name=Ref_DCHH107>{{Ref DCHH|107}}</ref><ref>URL: [http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/full/160/3/759 http://ajp.amjpathol.org/cgi/content/full/160/3/759]. Accessed on: 3 August 2010.</ref>
*PGP 9.5.
*SMMS - smooth muscle.
*Caldesmon - muscle.
*PDGFR - GIST.
*[[STAT6]] - [[Hemangiopericytoma]]/SFT.


==Muscle markers==
==Muscle markers==
*Desmin - all three types.
*Desmin - all three types.
*Caldesmon - smooth m.
*H-caldesmon - smooth muscle - most [[specificity|specific]].
*Smooth muscle myosin - smooth m.
*Smooth muscle actin (SMA) - smooth muscle.
*MyoD1 - skeletal m.
*MyoD1 - skeletal muscle.
*Smooth muscle myosin (abbreviated SMMS).


==Proliferation markers==
==Proliferation markers==
*MIB1 - an antibody against the protein ''Ki-67'' (a protein expressed in proliferating cells).
*MIB1 - an antibody against the protein ''Ki-67'' (a protein expressed in proliferating cells).


Note: ''MIB1'' should not be confused with ''mindbomb homolog 1'' (''MIB-1''), a gene that regulates apoptosis.<ref>[http://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=21086 http://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=21086]</ref>  
Notes:  
*Ki-67 is found in lymphocytes - these are a positive control; lymphocytes should ''not'' be confused for (positive) tumour cells.<ref name=pmid22517707>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Hadzi-Mihailovic | first1 = M. | last2 = Cakic | first2 = S. | last3 = Jankovic | first3 = S. | last4 = Raybaud | first4 = H. | last5 = Nedeljkovic | first5 = N. | last6 = Jankovic | first6 = L. | title = Ki-67 expression in oral lichen planus. | journal = J BUON | volume = 17 | issue = 1 | pages = 132-7 | month =  | year =  | doi =  | PMID = 22517707 }}</ref>
*''MIB1'' should not be confused with ''mindbomb homolog 1'' (''MIB-1''), a gene that regulates [[apoptosis]].<ref>[http://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=21086 http://www.genenames.org/data/hgnc_data.php?hgnc_id=21086]</ref>


==Carcinomas==
==Carcinomas==
===CK7 and CK20===
===CK7 and CK20===
====CK7+ CK20-====
====CK7+ CK20-====
*Ovary (but not mucinous).
*[[ovarian tumours|Ovary]] (but not mucinous).
*[[Breast]].
*[[Breast]].
*[[Endometrial]].
*[[endometrium|Endometrial]].
*Lung (adenocarcinoma).
*[[lung tumours|Lung]] (adenocarcinoma).
*Mesothelium.
*[[Mesothelioma]].
*Salivary.
*[[Salivary gland]].
*Thyroid (all).
*[[Thyroid gland]] (all).
Mnemonic: OBE + lung x2 + H&N x2
Mnemonic: OBE + lung x2 + H&N x2


====CK7- CK20+====
====CK7- CK20+====
*Colorectal adenocarcinoma.
*[[Colorectal tumours|Colorectal adenocarcinoma]].
*Merkel cell tumour.
*[[Merkel cell carcinoma]].


====CK7+ CK20+====
====CK7+ CK20+====
*Pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
*[[Pancreatic adenocarcinoma]].
*[[Ovary]], mucinous subtype.
*[[Ovary]], mucinous subtype.
*Occasionally gastric adeno, cholangiocarcinoma.
*Occasionally gastric adenocarcinoma, [[cholangiocarcinoma]].
*Transistional cell carcinoma or urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC).
*"[[Transitional cell carcinoma]]" (urothelial cell carcinoma).§
*Esophagus (adenocarcinoma).
*[[Esophageal adenocarcinoma]].
Mnemonic: ''POOTE''.
Mnemonic: ''POOTE''.
Note:
*§ - [[Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary]] is usu. CK20 -ve.<ref name=pmid21073751>{{Cite journal  | last1 = Tazi | first1 = EM. | last2 = Lalya | first2 = I. | last3 = Tazi | first3 = MF. | last4 = Ahellal | first4 = Y. | last5 = M'rabti | first5 = H. | last6 = Errihani | first6 = H. | title = Transitional cell carcinoma of the ovary: a rare case and review of literature. | journal = World J Surg Oncol | volume = 8 | issue =  | pages = 98 | month =  | year = 2010 | doi = 10.1186/1477-7819-8-98 | PMID = 21073751 }}</ref>


====CK7- CK20-====
====CK7- CK20-====
*Neuroendocrine lung (small cell carcinoma).
*Neuroendocrine lung (small cell carcinoma).
*Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC).
*[[Adrenocortical carcinoma]] (ACC).
*Squamous cell carcinoma (all sites of the body).
*[[Squamous cell carcinoma]] (all sites of the body).
*Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
*[[Hepatocellular carcinoma]] (HCC).
*[[Thymoma]].
*[[Thymoma]].
*Urogenital tumours - [[germ cell tumour]]s.
*Urogenital tumours - [[germ cell tumour]]s.
Line 229: Line 391:
Mnemonic: ''NASH TURP''.
Mnemonic: ''NASH TURP''.


==Vimentin & cytokeratin==
==Vimentin and cytokeratin positivity==
{{Main|Vimentin#Vimentin_and_cytokeratin_positivity}}
A few tumours are positive for both vimentin and cytokeratins.
A few tumours are positive for both vimentin and cytokeratins.


*[[Renal cell carcinoma]].
==Sarcomas and cytokeratins==
*[[Endometrial carcinoma]].<ref name=pmid12647218/>
{{Main|Keratins}}
*Synovial sarcoma.<ref name=pmid15338724>{{cite journal |author=Llombart-Bosch A, Lopez-Guerrero JA, Peydro-Olaya A |title=Synovial sarcoma (SS): new perspectives supported by modern technology |journal=Arkh. Patol. |volume=64 |issue=3 |pages=39–47 |year=2002 |pmid=15338724 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
Most sarcomas are cytokeratin negative.
*[[Gastric adenocarcinoma]] rarely.<ref>[http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2504165 http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2504165]</ref>
 
*Rhaboid tumour (rare tumour).<ref>[http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v14/n9/full/3880401a.html http://www.nature.com/modpathol/journal/v14/n9/full/3880401a.html]</ref>
Exceptions - classic:
*[[Angiosarcoma]], epithelioid.
*[[Synovial sarcoma]].
*[[Chordoma]].
*[[Desmoplastic small round cell tumour]].
*[[Epithelioid sarcoma]].
 
Others:
*[[Leiomyosarcoma]].
 
==See also==
*[[Stains]].
*[[Quality]].


==References==
==References==
Line 243: Line 418:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://surgpathcriteria.stanford.edu/IPOXHandout.pdf Stanford Surgical Pathology IHC guide] - standford.edu.
*[http://surgpathcriteria.stanford.edu/IPOXHandout.pdf Stanford Surgical Pathology IHC guide] - standford.edu.
*[http://www.nordiqc.org/ Nordic IHC quality control].
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDnp14nnNC4 How to Interpret Vimentin Immunostain (youtube.com)].


[[Category:Immunohistochemistry]]
[[Category:Immunohistochemistry]]

Latest revision as of 11:49, 30 November 2020

CK20 staining of normal small intestinal mucosa.

Immunohistochemical staining, also immunostaining, is a powerful tool. It is abbreviated IHC.

Utility

Use of immunohistochemistry:[1]

  1. Unknown primary tumours.
  2. Poorly differentiated tumours.
  3. Prognostic markers, e.g. ERBB2 (HER2).
  4. Proving clonality - in the context of hematologic malignancies.
  5. Mutation specific antibodies, eg. IDH-1 R132H.

Method was introduced in 1941 by Coons.[2]

Theory

  • Antigen retrieval.
  • Antibody binds to the antigen.
  • Amplification - needed as the signal is usually too weak.

Signaling systems

  • Avidin-biotin complex.
    • Older.[3]
    • May suffer from endogenous avidin-biotin activity.[4]
      • Higher false positive rates than with polymer based methods.
  • Polymer based methods.
    • Newer.
    • Less prone to false positives.
      • Negative controls not needed or infrequently required.[5]

Signal assessment

  • Manual (Morphology) vs. automated (Speed) counting.
  • Choice of proper chromogen.
    • Dynamic range of DAB is 1-2logs vs. fluorescent probes 2-3logs.
    • Protein expression range can be up to 4 logs in gene amplification (information is missed in IHC).
    • FastRed stains are more suited in melanocytic tumors than DAB.
  • Use of established cutoffs for "intensity" and for "positive" staining.
  • Visual pattern recogniton vs. detecting spatial subtle changes.
  • Detecting differences at low intensity with human eye is less accurate.

Quality control

This is an evolving area in pathology that has been ignored for a surprisingly long time.

It is touched upon the in the quality article in the immunohistochemistry section.

There are at least 62 pre-analytical variables to be considered, that may affect staining results.[6]

Interpretation

To determine whether a stain is (1) done correctly, and (2) positive, one needs to know:

  1. What tissues it stains:
    • Tumour.
    • Normal tissue.
  2. How it stains the various tissues:
    • Patchy.
    • Diffuse.
  3. Where it stains the various tissues:
    • Nucleus.
    • Cytoplasm.
    • Membrane.
    • A combination of the above.

Generally, interpretations can be subjective, and this is especially true when the staining is weak and focal. In other words, "... your weak [positive] stain might be somebody else’s negative."[7]

The cynical might say it is an unwritten rule that: "... if the stain is weak and focal it can be anything you want to make it -- positive or negative -- so it fits perfectly with your diagnosis!"

In cases where the morphology is unclear, it is judicious to have two or more immunostains that support the diagnosis, and negative stains for important entities in the differential diagnosis.

Publications with contradicting results are not uncommon. Differences can arise from the fixation, processing protocol, antibody clone and interpretation.

According to Galloway, one third pathologists substantially overestimate the diagnostic significance of unexpected immunohistochemical staining results.[8]

General (malignant) differential diagnosis

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Malignancy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Epithelial
(Carcinoma)
 
Mesenchymal
(Sarcoma)
 
Germ cell
tumour
 
Neuroendocrine
carcinoma
 
Hematologic
 
Malignant
melanoma
  • Carcinoma.
  • Sarcoma.
    • Vimentin.
      • Many pathologists think this stain is totally useless.
  • Germ cell tumours.
  • Neuroendocrine carcinoma.
    • Chromogranin A.
    • Synaptophysin.
    • CD56.
    • CD57.[10]
  • Melanoma.
    • S-100, HMB-45, Melan A (MART-1).
      • Additional: melanoma cocktail (HMB-45, MART-1)[11], microphthalmia,[12] tyrosinase.[13]
  • Hematologic.
    • Lymphoma/leukemia.
      • CD45 (common leukocyte antigen).
      • CD30.
    • Plasma cell:
      • Kappa.
      • Lambda.
      • CD138.

Keratins

Mark epithelial cells. Are typically seen in carcinomas.

Organ specific

Thyroid and lung

Image: Adenocarcinoma with nuclear TTF-1 positivity (WC).

Breast markers

  • GCDFP-15 (AKA BRST-2) -- specific, but NOT sensitive.
  • ER (estrogen receptor) - in normal breast.
  • PR (progesterone receptor) - in normal breast.
  • HER2/neu - pathological, assoc. with worse prognosis.

Prostate gland

Colorectal carcinoma markers

  • CK20.
  • CDX2.
    • Uncommon in primary lung, breast, pancreas, kidney, gallbladder, liver, urinary bladder, thyroid gland.[20]
  • CEA.

Small bowel

Kidney

Renal cell carcinoma:

  • RCC, EMA, CD10.
  • CK7 -ve in clear cell RCC.
  • AMACR +ve in papillary RCC.
  • D2-40 +ve in ChRCC.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis:

  • CD68 (for macrophages).

Ovary

  • CA125, CK7+, CK20-.
  • WT1 -- 90% in serous +ve.

Serous markers

Liver

HCC vs. cholangiocarcinoma:

  • TTF-1: ~90-100% +ve (cytoplasmic) in HCC vs. ~10% in cholangiocarcinoma.[23]

Mesothelium

Panel:[24]

  • Mesothelial markers:
  • Carcinoma markers:

Note:

  • One should use two mesothelial markers and two carcinoma markers.[24]

Pancreas

Neuropathology

General:

  • S-100.

Glial:

  • GFAP.

Neuronal:

  • Synaptophysin.
  • Chromogranin.

Glial/Neuronal:

Specific entities:

Tumour (low-grade gliomas):

Miscellaneous

Macrophages

  • CD68.

Special:

Special, less common:

One organ versus another

Cervix versus uterus

  • Cervix (typically): CEA +ve,[33] p16 +ve.
    • ... and ER -ve, PR -ve, vimentin -ve.
  • Uterus (typically): vimentin +ve, ER +ve, PR +ve.[34]
    • ... and CEA -ve, p16 -ve.

Liver versus bile duct

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) vs. hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC):[35]

  • ICC: CK19 (92.5%), MUC-1 (73.8%) +ve.
  • HCC: HepPar-1 (85.6%), CD34 (87.8%) +ve.

Prostate versus bladder

Prostate adenocarcinoma vs. urothelial carcinoma:

  • Prostate adenocarcinoma: PSA +ve, PSAP +ve, AR +ve, CK7 -ve, CK20 -ve, GATA3 -ve.
  • Urothelial carcinoma: GATA3 +ve, CK7 +ve, CK20 +ve, PSA -ve, PSAP -ve, AR -ve.

Breast versus ovary

Breast carcinoma versus ovarian carcinoma:

Lymphomas

This is covered more extensively in the lymphoma article.

Lymphocytes

  • CD45 (AKA common leukocyte antigen).

B-cells

  • CD20.
  • CD19 (flow only).
  • PAX5.
  • CD79a.

T-cells

  • CD3 - general T-cell marker (marks both CD4 +ve and CD8 +ve cells).
  • CD4.
  • CD8.
  • CD7.
  • CD43.

Specific entities

Follicular lymphoma

  • CD10 +ve, BCL6 +ve.

CLL

Mantle cell lymphoma

Hodgkin's lymphoma

This is covered more extensively in the Hodgkin lymphoma article.

Classic types:

  • CD30 Reed-Sternberg cells (RSCs) +ve ~98%.[39]
  • CD15 Reed-Sternberg cells +ve ~80%, stains neutrophils.

Germ cell tumours

Seminoma

  • D2-40 +ve.[9]
  • OCT4 +ve.

Embryonal carcinoma

  • CD30 +ve - cytoplasm, cell membrane, Golgi.
    • Rarely positive in seminoma.
  • CK7 +ve.[40]
  • AE1/AE3 +ve.

Yolk sac tumour (endodermal sinus tumour)

  • AFP (alpha fetoprotein).

Choriocarcinoma

  • beta-hCG.

Bare bones mnemonic for GCTs

The germ cell tumour (GCT) IHC mnemonic ABCD:

  • AFP = yolk sac tumour.
  • Beta-hCG = choriocarcinoma.
  • CD30 = embryonal carcinoma.
  • D2-40 = seminoma.

Spindle cell lesions

Abbreviated spindle cell panel (memory device SCADS):

  • S100.
  • CD34.
  • AE1/AE3.
  • Desmin.
  • SMA.

A MFH panel:

Muscle markers

  • Desmin - all three types.
  • H-caldesmon - smooth muscle - most specific.
  • Smooth muscle actin (SMA) - smooth muscle.
  • MyoD1 - skeletal muscle.
  • Smooth muscle myosin (abbreviated SMMS).

Proliferation markers

  • MIB1 - an antibody against the protein Ki-67 (a protein expressed in proliferating cells).

Notes:

  • Ki-67 is found in lymphocytes - these are a positive control; lymphocytes should not be confused for (positive) tumour cells.[43]
  • MIB1 should not be confused with mindbomb homolog 1 (MIB-1), a gene that regulates apoptosis.[44]

Carcinomas

CK7 and CK20

CK7+ CK20-

Mnemonic: OBE + lung x2 + H&N x2

CK7- CK20+

CK7+ CK20+

Mnemonic: POOTE.

Note:

CK7- CK20-

Mnemonic: NASH TURP.

Vimentin and cytokeratin positivity

A few tumours are positive for both vimentin and cytokeratins.

Sarcomas and cytokeratins

Most sarcomas are cytokeratin negative.

Exceptions - classic:

Others:

See also

References

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