TTF-1 expression and its diagnostic application in lung carcinomas.
- Author:
Dong-mei LIN
1
;
Shuang-mei ZOU
;
Ning LÜ
;
Peng WEN
;
Xiu-yun LIU
;
Zu-gen HE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adenocarcinoma; diagnosis; metabolism; Breast Neoplasms; pathology; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; diagnosis; metabolism; Colorectal Neoplasms; pathology; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; diagnosis; metabolism; secondary; Nuclear Proteins; biosynthesis; Thyroid Nuclear Factor 1; Transcription Factors; biosynthesis
- From: Chinese Journal of Oncology 2004;26(10):615-617
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) and study its application in the diagnosis of lung carcinomas.
METHODSOf 134 specimens from lung lobectomy, 105 were primary lung carcinomas including 76 non-small cell carcinomas (NSCLCs), 28 small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) and 1 complex carcinoma (SCLC and SCC), and 29 were metastatic carcinomas. Expression of TTF-1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression level of TTF-1 was graded as, +:6% to 25% of tumor cells positive, ++:26% to 50%, +++:51% to 75%, and ++++:> 76%.
RESULTSThe positive nuclear immunoreactivity of TTF-1 was identified in 23 of 28 SCLCs (82.1%), but none in squamous cell cancer (SCC) (P < 0.001). The positive expression rate of TTF-1 in lung adenocarcinomas (ACs) was 73.8% (31/42). There was no correlation between TTF-1 expression and ACs differentiation or ACs subtypes (P > 0.05). All but one (thyroid follicular carcinoma) metastatic ACs were TTF-1-positive. Mesenchymal component and lymphoid or inflammatory cells were consistently TTF-1-negative.
CONCLUSIONA significant difference of TTF-1 expression may assist in distinguishing SCLC from SCC, lymphoma or inflammatory lesions. Owing to its restrictive expression in lung tissue, TTF-1 might be used to differentiate primary from metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung.
