Procollagen 1 - a marker of fibroblastic and fibrohistiocytic skin tumors.
BACKGROUND
When dealing with tumors of presumed fibroblastic or fibrohistiocytic origin, immunohistochemistry is traditionally done to exclude a tumor of non-fibroblastic or non-fibrohistiocytic nature, because a reliable marker of fibroblastic or fibrohistiocytic cell origin is still to be introduced. This study investigates whether procollagen 1 is a useful marker of skin tumors composed of cells derived from fibroblasts or fibrohistiocytes.


METHODS
Twenty-nine different types of skin tumors, including tumors composed of spindle cells as well as some additional epithelial and melanocytic tumors, were stained immunohistochemically with antibodies against procollagen 1. The total number of cases tested was 154.


RESULTS
Tumors composed of cells of fibroblastic or fibrohistiocytic origin in general showed a high expression of procollagen 1, whereas tumors composed of non-fibroblastic cells in general showed no expression. However, there were a few exceptions, e.g., leiomyosarcoma and desmoplastic melanoma.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that immunohistochemical staining for procollagen 1 is a valuable marker for skin tumors composed of spindle cells derived from fibroblasts or fibrohistiocytes. However, in cases of spindle cell tumors with a morphology suggesting malignancy, it is recommended to use a panel of antibodies, which besides procollagen 1 includes markers such as S100, CD68, CD34, h-caldesmon, and pancytokeratin.
Krustrup
Dorrit
D
Department of Pathology, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen Hospital Cooperation, Copenhagen, Denmark. dkrustrup@tiscali.dk
Rossen
Kristian
K
Thomsen
Henrik Klem
HK
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006644:Histiocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011347:Procollagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011347:Procollagen