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c-Kit is not expressed in malignant mesothelioma
Andrew E Horvai1, Li Li, Zhidong Xu
1Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.
Summary
KIT protein (CD117) expression in malignant mesothelioma is questionable. Studies suggest nuclear staining may be due to antibody cross-reactivity, not actual c-kit gene expression, impacting targeted therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Pathology
Background:
- KIT protein (CD117) overexpression has prognostic and therapeutic relevance in various cancers.
- Previous research on c-kit expression in malignant mesothelioma yielded conflicting results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and significance of KIT protein and c-kit gene expression in malignant mesothelioma.
- To clarify discrepancies in prior findings regarding KIT expression in this cancer type.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) using two different anti-KIT antibodies on 37 archived mesothelioma tissue samples.
- Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) to detect c-kit mRNA.
Main Results:
- A subset of mesothelioma cases showed nuclear staining with one anti-KIT antibody, but no c-kit mRNA was detected by RT-PCR.
- A second anti-KIT antibody showed minimal staining, and none in cases with nuclear staining.
- Nuclear immunoreactivity did not correlate with detectable c-kit gene expression.
Conclusions:
- Observed KIT immunoreactivity in mesothelioma is likely due to antibody cross-reactivity with nuclear proteins, not true c-kit gene expression.
- These findings challenge previous reports of KIT expression and the potential efficacy of KIT-targeted therapies in mesothelioma.