title: Can p63 serve as a biomarker for giant cell tumor of bone? A Moroccan experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multinucleated giant cell-containing tumors and pseudotumors of bone represent a heterogeneous group of benign and malignant lesions. Differential diagnosis can be challenging, particularly in instances of limited sampling. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the P63 in the positive and differential diagnosis of giant cell tumor of bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study includes 48 giant cell-containing tumors and pseudotumors of bone. P63 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Data analysis was performed using Epi-info software and SPSS software package (version 17).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemical analysis showed a P63 nuclear expression in all giant cell tumors of bone, in 50% of osteoid osteomas, 40% of aneurysmal bone cysts, 37.5% of osteoblastomas, 33.3% of chondromyxoide fibromas, 25% of non ossifiant fibromas and 8.3% of osteosarcomas. Only one case of chondroblastoma was included in this series and expressed p63. No P63 immunoreactivity was detected in any of the cases of central giant cell granulomas or langerhans cells histiocytosis. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of P63 immunohistochemistry for the diagnosis of giant cell tumor of bone were 100%. The specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were 74.42% and 59.26% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found not only that GCTOB expresses the P63 but it also shows that this protein may serve as a biomarker for the differential diagnosis between two morphologically similar lesions particularly in instances of limited sampling. Indeed, P63 expression seems to differentiate between giant cell tumor of bone and central giant cell granuloma since the latter does not express P63. Other benign and malignant giant cell-containing lesions express P63, decreasing its specificity as a diagnostic marker, but a strong staining was seen, except a case of chondroblastoma, only in giant cell tumor of bone. Clinical and radiological confrontation remains essential for an accurate diagnosis.
  The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1838562590777252.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, HASSAN II University Hospital, Harazem, Fez, Morocco. nawal-h111@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Nawal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hammas
authors.forename: Chbani
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laila
authors.forename: Alaoui Lamrani My
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: El Fatemi
authors.initials: el F
authors.lastname: Hind
authors.forename: Taoufiq
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harmouch
authors.forename: Tizniti
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Siham
authors.forename: Amarti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Afaf
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018212:Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C115051:TP63 protein, human; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins