Characterizing subpopulations of neoplastic cells in serous effusions. The role of immunocytochemistry.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the role of immunochemistry in serous effusions.


METHODS
We analyzed cell blocks of 18 pleural and 18 peritoneal effusions diagnosed as malignant (18), benign (14) and suspicious (4). They were immunostained by the avidin-biotin complex method with a panel of four monoclonal antibodies--CEA, Ber-EP4, LeuM1 (CD15) and p53--and, for lectins (Ulex europaeus) UEA-l, ConA and ConBr.


RESULTS
Seventeen of the 18 cases of adenocarcinoma were positive for CEA (95%), 12 (66.6%) for Ber-EP4, 11 (61%) for CD15 and 11 (61%) for p53. Twelve of the 18 (66.6%) were positive for UEA-1, CEA, Ber-EP4 and CD15. UEA-1 did not react with mesothelial cells. p53 Gave a positive reaction in only one case, reactive mesothelial cells. ConA and ConBr reacted indiscriminately with benign and malignant cells; thus, it was not useful in distinguishing between these cells.


CONCLUSIONS
In this context no antibody used alone is reliable for corroborating a diagnosis, but the selective use of a small panel of three markers (CEA, Ber-EP4 and LeuM1) can be very useful in solving diagnostic difficulties in the cytodiagnosis of serous effusions.
Queiroz
C
C
Departments of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Human Reproduction and of Anatomic Pathology and Immunology, Federal University of Bahia, Bahia, Brazil.
Barral-Netto
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M
Bacchi
C E
CE
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D037102:Lectins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D016256:Lewis X Antigen / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D018301:Neoplasms, Mesothelial / Q000175:diagnosis; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D037121:Plant Lectins; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000175:diagnosis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D003208:Concanavalin A; D037102:Lectins; D016256:Lewis X Antigen; D037121:Plant Lectins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C036850:Ulex europaeus lectins; C115012:human epithelial antigen-125; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm