p75(NGFR) immunostaining for the detection of perineural invasion by cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Perineural invasion (PNI) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) may portend a poor prognosis for patients. p75NGFR (nerve growth factor receptor) is part of a membrane receptor complex that binds nerve growth factor. Its use for detecting PNI in CSCC in comparison with S-100 immunohistochemical staining has not been explored.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether detection of PNI may be improved by staining with p75NGFR compared with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and S-100.


METHODS
Thirty-four cases of CSCC were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of PNI using standard H&E, as well as S-100 and p75NGFR immunohistochemical stains. Staining intensity was correlated to the presence or absence of PNI and tumor differentiation.


RESULTS
The results showed a positive correlation between staining intensity and the presence of PNI detected by p75NGFR (p=.04). Using p75NGFR allowed for the detection of seven cases of PNI not detected by H&E alone. Five of these cases were detected by S-100, with two cases seen by p75NGFR only. Six cases of PNI were detected using S-100 not seen on H&E, with one case also not seen using p75NGFR.


CONCLUSIONS
p75NGFR immunostaining increased detection of PNI compared with H&E. p75NGFR could serve as an alternative to S-100 in the detection of PNI or as part of an immunostaining panel for PNI detection.
Lewis Kelso
Rebecca
R
Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77030, USA. rlkelso@utmb.edu
Colome-Grimmer
Maria I
MI
Uchida
Tatsuo
T
Wang
Hui Qun
HQ
Wagner
Richard F
RF
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D004396:Coloring Agents; D020800:Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor; D009418:S100 Proteins; D004801:Eosine Yellowish-(YS); D006416:Hematoxylin