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Expression of mesothelioma-related markers in meningiomas: an immunohistochemical study
Eman Abdelzaher1, Dina Mohamed Abdallah1
1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria 21533, Egypt.
Background:
Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors. Recently, histogenetic and phenotypic similarities between meningiomas and mesotheliomas have been proposed. We were interested in whether these similarities are reflected on the immunohistochemical level, which would add new potentially diagnostic markers for meningiomas.
Methods:
The expression of mesothelioma-related markers (D2-40, Calretinin, Keratin 5/6, WT1, and Methotheioma-Ab1) was investigated in 87 cases of meningiomas and compared to EMA expression.
Results:
73.6% of meningioma cases were grade I, 20.7% were grade II, and 5.7% were grade III. 83.9% of meningioma cases were classical and 16.1% had special nonmeningothelial features. D2-40 was expressed in 37.9% of cases and was significantly restricted to classical meningiomas. Calretinin and WT1 were negative while Keratin 5/6 and Mesothelioma-Ab1 were weakly expressed in classical variants (5.7% and 3.4%, resp.). EMA was consistently expressed in all cases. Its expression was significantly higher than that of mesothelioma-related markers; this held true also when D2-40 expression was considered separately.
Conclusions:
Mesothelioma-related markers are not extensively expressed in meningiomas, a finding that argues against their proposed histogenetic and phenotypic similarities. Compared to EMA, the significantly lower expression of mesothelioma-related markers and their restricted expression to classical meningioma variants hamper their potential future use as diagnostic markers for meningioma.
Insights
Mesothelioma markers show limited expression in meningiomas, challenging proposed similarities. These markers are not ideal diagnostic tools for meningiomas compared to EMA.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Oncology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors.
- Proposed histogenetic and phenotypic similarities exist between meningiomas and mesotheliomas.
- Investigating immunohistochemical markers could reveal diagnostic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the expression of mesothelioma-related markers in meningiomas.
- To compare the expression of these markers with EMA (epithelial membrane antigen).
- To assess the potential diagnostic utility of mesothelioma markers for meningiomas.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 87 meningioma cases using immunohistochemistry.
- Investigated expression of D2-40, Calretinin, Keratin 5/6, WT1, and Mesothelioma-Ab1.
- Compared marker expression with EMA expression and tumor grade/features.
Main Results:
- D2-40 expression observed in 37.9% of cases, restricted to classical meningiomas.
- Calretinin and WT1 were negative; Keratin 5/6 and Mesothelioma-Ab1 showed weak expression.
- EMA was universally expressed, significantly higher than mesothelioma markers, including D2-40.
Conclusions:
- Limited expression of mesothelioma markers in meningiomas does not support proposed histogenetic/phenotypic similarities.
- Lower and restricted expression of these markers compared to EMA hinders their use as diagnostic markers for meningioma.
