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Monoclonal antibody Ber‐EP4: Its use in the differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma and carcinoma in cell blocks of malignant effusions and FNA specimens
Author(s) -
Maguire Brigid,
Whitaker Darrel,
Carrello Salvatore,
Spagnolo Dominic
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
diagnostic cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1097-0339
pISSN - 8755-1039
DOI - 10.1002/dc.2840100207
Subject(s) - medicine , mesothelioma , pathology , differential diagnosis , adenocarcinoma , renal cell carcinoma , carcinoma , antibody , immunohistochemistry , monoclonal antibody , cancer , immunology
Formal sublimate‐fixed cell blocks derived from 129 malignant pleural (and some peritoneal) effusions, 8 benign effusions with reactive mesothelial cells, and 23 FNA specimens, were immunostained with monoclonal antibody Ber‐EP4 to assess its ability to distinguish malignant mesothelioma (MM) from carcinoma. Only 2 of 44 (4%) well‐characterized MM were Ber‐EP4 + , while none of 8 benign mesothelial proliferations reacted with the antibody. Fifty‐seven percent of 23 pulmonary adenocarcinomas (AC) and 60% of 43 pulmonary carcinomas of all other histological types were Ber‐EP4 + . Of 40 metastatic AC originating from breast, gastrointestinal tract, ovary, endometrium, and kidney, 80% were Ber‐EP4 + . The predictive value of positive Ber‐EP4 staining in distinguishing AC from MM was 96%. The predictive value of a negative Ber‐EP4 in excluding MM was 70%, when the differential diagnosis was adenocarcinoma. These results suggest that Ber‐EP4 is helpful in differentiating MM and AC if used together with other discriminating antibodies. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.