title: E-cadherin expression is a sensitive and specific method for detection of carcinoma cells in fluid specimens.
abstract: The distinction between reactive mesothelial cells and carcinoma in pleural, peritoneal, and pericardial fluids is often difficult. We and others previously showed that E-cadherin, an epithelial-specific adhesion protein, can be useful for this distinction. In this study we tested the sensitivity and specificity of E-cadherin compared to, and in combination with, conventional cytology for assessment of carcinoma in fluids. Cytyc ThinPreptrade mark slides (Marlborough, MA) from 102 sequential fluids were evaluated for E-cadherin expression by routine immunologic techniques. No evidence of E-cadherin staining was seen in 71 cases, while 31 showed unequivocally positive staining. Sensitivity and specificity were independently determined for E-cadherin alone (72% and 97%, respectively), cytomorphology alone (62% and 100%, respectively), and both together (92% and 100%, respectively). We conclude that assessment of E-cadherin expression has sensitivity and specificity comparable to, or better than, conventional cytomorphology. If both cytomorphology and E-cadherin are used together, a definitive and correct diagnosis could have been made on nearly every case in this study.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schofield
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: D'Aquila
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Rimm
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001826:Body Fluids; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins