Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026

Antibody Binding Specificity for Kappa (Vκ) Light Chain-containing Human (IgM) Antibodies: Polysialic Acid (PSA) Attached to NCAM as a Case Study
Published on: June 29, 2016
Neural cell adhesion molecule expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck
J A Hutcheson1, E Vural, S Korourian
1Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72205, USA.
Objective:
To investigate whether there is a correlation between neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression and perineural spread in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (ACCHN).
Study Design:
Retrospective review of medical records and immunohistochemical staining of specimens from 37 patients treated at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock from 1987 to 1997.
Methods:
Sections from paraffin-embedded specimens were examined for the presence of NCAM using monoclonal anti-NCAM antibody by avidin-biotin-peroxidase immunohistochemical staining. NCAM staining was scored in each specimen and correlated with the data obtained from patient charts.
Results:
Twenty-five of 37 specimens (68%) showed histopathological evidence of perineural spread. All 37 specimens (100%) stained positive for NCAM, regardless of perineural spread status.
Conclusion:
Our results suggested that the use of NCAM expression as a predictor of perineural spread is highly unlikely.
Related Concept Videos
Structure of Cadherins
Adherens Junctions
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...
Cadherins in Tissue Organization
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...
Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...

