title: Assessment of syndecan-1 (CD138) and Ki-67 expression for differentiating keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a major controversy over the natural behavior of keratoacanthoma (KA). KAs have been described as benign lesions, but also as variants of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Microscopic differentiation between these 2 entities is problematic, and sometimes impossible. Syndecan-1 (CD138) is an adhesion molecule whose expression appears to be inversely correlated with tumor invasiveness. Elevated Ki-67 expression is indicative of a high proliferation index, a feature of malignant tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Syndecan-1 and Ki-67 expression were assessed in 22 KA skin samples and in 17 SCC skin biopsies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Syndecan-1 expression was diminished in the SCC specimens compared with the KA specimens ( P =.000). Ki-67 expression was increased in the SCC specimens compared with the KA specimens, with mean values of 9 and 0.08, respectively ( P =.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further studies that compare intermediate risk KAs to typical KAs and SCCs are required to corroborate these findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The assessment of syndecan-1 and Ki-67 expression in skin biopsies is a helpful tool for differentiating KA and SCC
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Hospital General Dr Manuel Gea González, Mexico City, Mexico. dra.lammoglia@gmail.com
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lammoglia-Ordiales
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toussaint-Caire
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contreras-Barrera
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fonte-Avalos
authors.forename: Alma A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Carreón
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rivera-Macias
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dominguez-Cherit
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007636:Keratoacanthoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D053668:Syndecan-1 / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C508241:SDC1 protein, human; D053668:Syndecan-1