Islet 1 (Isl1) expression is a reliable marker for pancreatic endocrine tumors and their metastases.
BACKGROUND
Tracing the origin of a metastasis of a neuroendocrine carcinoma is a challenge. The transcription factors Cdx2 and TTF1 have been found to be helpful in identifying well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors of gastrointestinal and pulmonary origin, respectively. So far, such a marker is lacking for pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PETs) and metastases thereof. Islet1 (Isl1) is a transcription factor expressed in pancreatic islet cells. The aim of this study was (1) to test the specificity and sensitivity of Isl1 as a marker of PETs, and (2) to test the specificity and sensitivity of a panel of markers, including Isl1, Cdx2, and TTF1, for the localization of the primary.


METHODS
One hundred eighty-eight primary gastroenteropancreatic and pulmonary endocrine tumors and 49 metastases thereof were examined. Immunohistochemistry using antibodies directed against Isl1, Cdx2, and TTF1 was performed and the staining results were scored semiquantitatively.


RESULTS
Isl1 proved to be a highly specific marker for pancreatic endocrine tumors. In 84 primary PET its specificity was 78.4% (sensitivity 74.3%) and in 18 metastases of PET the specificity reached 100% (sensitivity 77.8%). Strong Cdx2 staining showed a specificity for gastrointestinal origin of 83.9% (sensitivity 82%) in primary tumors and of 100% (sensitivity 40%) in metastases. Including weakly positive tumors lead to a decreased specificity but an increased sensitivity. TTF1 expression was detected in 2 PET and 1 ileal primary tumor only and was absent in all metastases of gastroenteropancreatic endocrine tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
Isl1 is a reliable marker of pancreatic endocrine tumors and metastases thereof. It shows a comparable sensitivity and specificity as Cdx2 as a marker of ileal and appendiceal neuroendocrine tumors and their metastases. TTF1 is very rarely expressed in well-differentiated gastroentero-PETs. Therefore, the panel of Isl1, Cdx2, and TTF1 seems useful for examining metastases of well-differentiated endocrine carcinomas of unknown origin.
Schmitt
Anja M
AM
Department of Pathology, Institute of Surgical Pathology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland. Anja.Schmitt@triemli.stzh.ch
Riniker
Florian
F
Anlauf
Martin
M
Schmid
Sonja
S
Soltermann
Alex
A
Moch
Holger
H
Heitz
Philipp U
PU
Klöppel
Günther
G
Komminoth
Paul
P
Perren
Aurel
A
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D018358:Neuroendocrine Tumors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; C491270:CDX2 protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D060850:LIM-Homeodomain Proteins; C504003:TTF1 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; C063843:insulin gene enhancer binding protein Isl-1