title: Utility of HBME-1 immunostaining in serous effusions.
abstract: HBME-1 is an anti-mesothelial cell monoclonal antibody derived from human mesothelioma cells. We investigated 227 body cavity effusions to test its utility in differentiating mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma. HBME-1 outlined cell membranes in non-neoplastic mesothelial cells. Thick surface staining was observed on all mesotheliomas. HBME-1 reactivity was also detected in 24% of metastatic carcinomatous effusions. Most ovarian carcinomas (83%) reacted with this antibody, showing surface staining. Cytoplasmic HBME-1 immunoreactivity was observed in a small proportion of non-ovarian adenocarcinomas (14%). Despite its limited specificity, HBME-1 might be added to the battery of other markers of epithelial and/or mesothelial differentiation to be used in cases of suspected mesothelioma. Evaluation of suspicious cells should include careful study of the pattern of immunostaining.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Patologia, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ascoli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carnovale-Scalzo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taccogna
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nardi
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor