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Updated: Aug 15, 2026
Isolating and Analyzing Cells of the Pancreas Mesenchyme by Flow Cytometry
Published on: January 28, 2017
[Expression and diagnostic value of mesothelin in specimen of pancreas fine-needle aspiration]
Qing-yun Zhu1, Zhao-shen Li, Xue Pan
1Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Objective:
To investigate the expression of mesothelin in specimen of pancreas fine-needle aspiration and to evaluate the potential contribution of immunohistochemical labeling of mesothelin to the interpretation of pancreas fine-needle aspiration (FNA).
Methods:
Specimens from 27 patients were selected for immunolabeling. Immunohistochemical EnVision method was used to detect the expression of mesothelin in specimen of pancreas fine-needle aspiration. The labeling in each patient was scored as positive or negative. These results were compared with the cytologic diagnosis and the follow-up data.
Results:
Nineteen of the 27 patients were ultimately shown to have an adenocarcinoma, and 8 had no evidence of malignancy on follow-up. Initial cytologic diagnosis of malignancy correlated with carcinoma on follow-up in 10 of 10 cases, and initial benign cytologic diagnosis correlated with benign follow-up in 4 of 6 cases. Seven of the 11 patients with suspicious cytology were found to have carcinomas on follow-up. Mesothelin labeling was seen in 14 of the 19 patients ultimately shown to have carcinomas and was absent in 7 of the 8 benign lesions (sensitivity, 73.7%; specificity, 87.5%). Five of the 7 cytologically suspicious cases with malignant follow-up labeled for mesothelin. Positive mesothelin labeling was observed in one of the 4 suspicious cases who finally proved to be benign during follow-up.
Conclusion:
Immunohistochemical labeling for mesothelin may be a highly specific tool for the detection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in FNA specimens and is useful in categorizing cytologically suspicious lesions.
Insights
Mesothelin immunohistochemistry shows high specificity for detecting pancreatic adenocarcinoma in fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens. This marker aids in classifying suspicious lesions, improving diagnostic accuracy for pancreatic cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Pancreatic fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is crucial for diagnosing pancreatic lesions.
- Accurate interpretation of FNA cytology can be challenging, especially for suspicious cases.
- Novel biomarkers are needed to enhance diagnostic precision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mesothelin expression in pancreas FNA specimens.
- To evaluate the utility of mesothelin immunohistochemistry in diagnosing pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
- To assess its contribution to interpreting cytologically suspicious FNA samples.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical EnVision method was employed to detect mesothelin.
- Specimens from 27 patients undergoing pancreas FNA were analyzed.
- Mesothelin labeling was scored as positive or negative and compared with cytologic diagnosis and follow-up.
Main Results:
- Mesothelin was detected in 73.7% of pancreatic adenocarcinomas and absent in 87.5% of benign lesions.
- The marker showed high specificity (87.5%) and sensitivity (73.7%) for malignancy.
- Mesothelin labeling was positive in most suspicious cases that were ultimately diagnosed as carcinoma.
Conclusions:
- Immunohistochemical mesothelin labeling is a highly specific tool for pancreatic adenocarcinoma detection in FNA.
- Mesothelin aids in categorizing cytologically suspicious lesions, improving diagnostic accuracy.
- This biomarker enhances the diagnostic yield of pancreas FNA.