Distinction of Pulmonary Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma from Small Cell Lung Carcinoma Using a Panel of Bcl-2, p63, and 34 beta E12

作者：Li Jun Zhe; Choi Chan; Choi Yoo Duk; Na Kook Joo^*

来源：Korean Journal of Pathology, 2011, 45(2): 170-174.

DOI：10.4132/KoreanJPathol.2011.45.2.170

• Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma
• Small cell lung carcinoma
• p63
• Bcl-2
• 34 beta E12

Background: Making the distinction between large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is difficult in some samples of biopsy tissues, but we have to separate LCNEC from SCLC because the two types of cancer may need different therapy and they have different prognostic implications. Thus far, there are no specific immunohistochemical markers that allow distinguishing these two kinds of tumors. Methods: We performed an immunohistochemical analysis to study the expressions of p63, Bcl-2, and 34 beta E12 and to investigate whether these 3 molecules have correlations in LCNEC and SCLC. We also evaluated the expression of the neuroendocrine markers chromogranin, synaptophysin and CD56. Results: A statistical analysis was performed for p63, Bcl-2, and 34 beta E12 in separate and combined panels. According to the combinations of p63, Bcl-2, and 34 beta E12, there were frequent expressions of p63-/Bcl-2+ or Bcl-2+/34 beta E12-in the SCLC, and there was a superior proportion of them in the SCLC rather than that in the LCNEC. The p63-/Bcl-2+ and Bcl-2+/34 beta E12-antibody combinations showed higher specificities compared to any single antibody for diagnosing SCLC. Conclusions: Bcl-2 and selective p63 or 34 beta E12 made up a most useful panel of markers for making the differential diagnosis of LCNEC and SCLC.

• 出版日期2011