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Cathepsin K expression in a wide spectrum of perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms ( PEC omas): a clinicopathological study emphasizing extrarenal PEC omas
Author(s) -
Rao Qiu,
Cheng Liang,
Xia Qiuyuan,
Liu Biao,
Li Li,
Shi Qunli,
Shi Shanshan,
Yu Bo,
Zhang Rusong,
Ma Henghui,
Lu Zhenfeng,
Tu Pin,
Zhou Xiaojun
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
histopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.626
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1365-2559
pISSN - 0309-0167
DOI - 10.1111/his.12059
Subject(s) - pathology , cathepsin k , immunohistochemistry , biology , medicine , receptor , osteoclast
Aims Recent studies have demonstrated that cathepsin K seems to be a powerful marker in identifying renal perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms ( PEC omas). However, the expression in extrarenal PEC omas has not been well characterized due to their rare incidence. Our aim was to investigate the expression of cathepsin K in a wide spectrum of extrar‐enal PEC omas and evaluate its potential diagnostic usefulness in comparison with other commonly used markers. Methods and results Twenty‐three cases of PEC oma (liver, n = 9; lung, n = 1; broad ligament of uterus, n = 1; vertex subcutaneous soft tissue, n = 1; abdominal wall, n = 1; and kidney, n = 10) were selected for study. All displayed a high percentage of cells with moderately to strongly positive reactions for cathepsin K (mean 91%; range 80–100%). HMB 45, Melan‐A and smooth muscle actin ( SMA ) were expressed in 78, 87 and 87% of cases, respectively, with various percentages of positive cells (mean, 34, 40 and 38%; range 0–80, 0–90 and 0–90%). Transcription factor E3 ( TFE 3) was expressed strongly in only three cases; none exhibited evidence of TFE3 gene fusion or amplification. Conclusions Cathepsin K appears to be more powerful than other commonly used markers in diagnosing a wide spectrum of PEC omas and distinguishing them from the majority of human cancers.