title: Comparison of five antibodies as markers in the diagnosis of melanoma in cytologic preparations.
abstract: We determined the sensitivity and specificity of 3 novel antibodies (microphthalmia transcription factor [Mitf], Melan-A, and tyrosinase) as markers for melanoma in cytologic preparations and compared the results with those of commonly used markers (S-100 protein [S-100] and HMB-45). We stained 72 cell blocks from 40 patients with melanoma and 32 with nonmelanocytic malignant neoplasms with antibodies against S-100, HMB-45, Mitf, Melan-A, and tyrosinase. Histologic correlation was available in more than 95% of cases. Nuclear stainingfor Mitf and cytoplasmic stainingfor S-100, HMB-45, Melan-A, and tyrosinase in more than 10% of tumor cells was considered positive. All 3 novel markers demonstrated sensitivity superior to S-100 and HMB-45. HMB-45, Melan-A, and Mitf demonstrated specificities of 97%. S-100 protein and tyrosinase were less specific. Sensitivity and specificity for the combination Mitf+/Melan-A+ were 95% and 100%, respectively, whereas they were 80% and 100%, respectively, for S-100+/HMB-45+. Mitf Melan-A, and tyrosinase are sensitive markersfor epithelioid melanoma. Mitf and Melan-A seem more specific than S-100 and tyrosinase. An antibody panel consisting of Mitf and Melan-A is superior to a panel of S-100 and HMB-45 in the diagnosis of melanoma in cytologic specimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35249-6823, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sheffield
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.forename: Christine C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Dorvault
authors.forename: Katherine N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Weilbaecher
authors.forename: Isam A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Eltoum
authors.forename: Gene P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Siegal
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Chhieng
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; C497234:MITF protein, human; C548667:MLANA protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase