Δnp63 (p40) distribution inside lung cancer: A driver biomarker approach to tumor characterization

Giuseppe Pelosi, Giulio Rossi, Alberto Cavazza, Luisella Righi, Patrick Maisonneuve, Mattia Barbareschi, Paolo Graziano, Ugo Pastorino, Marina Garassino, Filippo De Braud, Mauro Papotti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

ΔNp63 (henceforth simply p40) is a squamous/basal-type biomarker corresponding to nontransactivating (non-TA) isoforms of p63 gene. Its prospective relevance as driver biomarker in lung cancer has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In all, 72 adenocarcinomas (ADs), 27 squamous cell carcinomas (SQCs), 13 pleomorphic carcinomas (PLCs), 10 small-cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs), 5 large-cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs), 5 adenosquamous carcinomas (ADSQCs), 3 large-cell carcinomas with basaloid features (B-LCC), 2 carcinoids, 2 carcinosarcomas (CS), 2 salivary-gland type tumors (SGTTs) of the lung, and 5 pleural malignant epithelioid mesotheliomas (MEMs) were prospectively diagnosed by morphology and verified by immunohistochemistry for p40, p63, and thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF1). Histological scores (HS) were devised by multiplying the percentage of immunoreactive cells (0 to 100%) by immunostaining intensity (low = 1 vs strong = 2, according to internal controls). There was a nonrandom distribution of p40 across the diverse tumor groups and cell differentiation lineages, with p40-HS > 100 closely paralleling squamous or myoepithelial carcinomas (SQC, B-LCC, SQC-containing PLC, ADSQC with predominant SQC, SGTT), and p40-HS ≤ 10 pinpointing AD, AD-containing PLC, or CS and neuroendocrine (NE) tumors. At variance, p63-HS was significantly higher than p40 in AD (P

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)229-239
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Journal of Surgical Pathology
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2013

Keywords

  • diagnosis
  • immunohistochemistry
  • lung cancer
  • p40
  • p63
  • TTF1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Anatomy
  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine
  • Surgery

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