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Cytokeratin 34 beta E-12 immunoreactivity in benign prostatic acini. Quantitation, pattern assessment, and electron
N S Goldstein1, J Underhill, J Roszka
1Department of Anatomic Pathology, William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA.
American Journal of Clinical Pathology
|July 9, 1999
Summary
Keratin 34 beta E-12 is widely used to distinguish benign from malignant prostate glands. This study found that peripheral benign acini often lack keratin 34 beta E-12 reactivity due to basal cell attenuation.
Area of Science:
- Uropathology
- Prostate Cancer Biomarkers
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Keratin 34 beta E-12 is crucial for differentiating benign prostatic acini from malignant glands.
- Lack of keratin 34 beta E-12 immunoreactivity in benign acini presents diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pattern and reasons for keratin 34 beta E-12 non-reactivity in benign prostatic acini.
- To correlate immunohistochemical findings with ultrastructural features of benign acini.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of midprostate whole-mount sections from 21 radical prostatectomy specimens.
- Quantification of keratin 34 beta E-12 immunoreactive acini in peripheral and transition zones.
- Electron microscopy examination of benign acini from peripheral zone lobules.
Main Results:
- A high median number (49/50) of benign acini showed keratin 34 beta E-12 immunoreactivity.
- Nonreactive acini were typically peripheral, outpouched, or terminal structures.
- Electron microscopy revealed basal cell attenuation and occasional absence of basal cell cytoplasm in nonreactive acini.
Conclusions:
- Benign prostatic acini, particularly peripheral ones, can exhibit absent or discontinuous keratin 34 beta E-12 staining.
- Basal cell layer attenuation is the likely cause of non-reactivity in these peripheral acini.
- Understanding these patterns is essential for accurate interpretation of keratin 34 beta E-12 staining in prostate pathology.