Subtyping of undifferentiated non-small cell carcinomas in bronchial biopsy specimens.
BACKGROUND
The emergence of treatments for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) with differential efficacy and toxicity between subtypes has highlighted the importance of specific pathologic NSCLC subtyping. Most NSCLCs are inoperable, and pathologic diagnosis is made only on small tissue samples that are prone to diagnostic inaccuracy. In a substantial proportion of cases, standard morphology cannot specifically subtype the tumor, necessitating a diagnosis of NSCLC-not otherwise specified (NOS). Histochemical staining for mucin and immunohistochemical (IHC) identification of NSCLC subtype-associated markers could help predict the final subtype of resected NSCLCs diagnosed as NSCLC-NOS on preoperative bronchial biopsy samples.


METHODS
Paraffin sections of 44 bronchial biopsy samples diagnosed as NSCLC-NOS were stained for mucin (Alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff) and thyroid transcription factor 1 by IHC-(markers of adenocarcinoma), and for S100A7, cytokeratin 5/6, high molecular weight cytokeratins, and p63 proteins-markers of squamous cell carcinoma. A predictive staining panel was derived from statistical analysis after comparing staining profiles with the final postsurgical NSCLC subtype. This panel was prospectively applied to 82 small biopsy samples containing NSCLC.


RESULTS
True NSCLC subtype of undifferentiated NSCLC samples was best predicted using Alcian blue/periodic acid Schiff plus p63 and thyroid transcription factor 1 IHC, allowing specific subtyping in 73% of NSCLC-NOS cases with 86% accuracy. When applied prospectively, this staining panel showed 100% concordance with specific NSCLC morphologic subtyping in small biopsies.


CONCLUSIONS
This approach can facilitate treatment selection by accurately predicting the subtype in undifferentiated NSCLC biopsies, reducing to 7% the proportion of cases without a definite or probable histologic subtype.
Loo
Peh Sun
PS
Department of Pathology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
Thomas
Stuart C
SC
Nicolson
Marianne C
MC
Fyfe
Margaret N
MN
Kerr
Keith M
KM
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018287:Carcinoma, Large Cell / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D053555:Keratin-5 / Q000378:metabolism; D053553:Keratin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000075023:S100 Calcium Binding Protein A7; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D000074482:Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D053555:Keratin-5; D053553:Keratin-6; D009077:Mucins; C000614412:NKX2-1 protein, human; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000075023:S100 Calcium Binding Protein A7; D009418:S100 Proteins; C089242:S100A7 protein, human; C115051:TP63 protein, human; D000074482:Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins