Stromelysin-3: a potent marker for histopathologic differentiation between desmoplastic trichoepithelioma and morphealike basal cell carcinoma.
Histopathological differentiation between desmoplastic trichoepithelioma (DTE) and morphealike basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a difficult problem because of their similar morphological features. The matrix metalloproteinase stromelysin-3 (ST-3), which is expressed as a specific fibroblastic factor especially surrounding carcinoma cells, was studied in these both conditions of wholly different clinical outcome. Using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues, we found positive immunoreactivity for ST-3 in fibroblastic cells surrounding morphealike BCC cells in 34 (68%) of 50 cases, whereas the epithelial tumor cells themselves were negative. In none of the 12 cases of DTE did we observe expression of ST-3 in fibroblasts. We conclude that the antibody against ST-3 protein is an immunohistochemical marker to distinguish morphealike BCC from DTE.
Thewes
M
M
Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Biederstein, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
Worret
W I
WI
Engst
R
R
Ring
J
J
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D053507:Matrix Metalloproteinase 11; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000032:analysis*; D018295:Neoplasms, Basal Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053507:Matrix Metalloproteinase 11; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases