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Published on: May 2, 2022
PKCθ utility in diagnosing c-KIT/DOG-1 double negative gastrointestinal stromal tumors
Attila Kövecsi1,2, Ioan Jung1, Zoltan Szentirmay3
1Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Tirgu Mures, Romania.
Background:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis value of an immunohistochemical (IHC) panel of three antibodies for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).
Material And Methods:
In 80 consecutive GISTs without lymph node metastases, the IHC examinations were performed using the antibodies CD117 (c-KIT), DOG-1 and c-theta (PKCθ) protein. The diagnostic value of PKCθ in c-KIT/DOG-1 negative GISTs has been explored in fewer than 10 Medline-indexed papers.
Results:
The c-KIT, PKCθ and DOG-1 positivity was noted in 92.50% (n = 74), 90% (n = 72) and 76.25% (n = 61) of the cases, respectively. All of the C-KIT negative cases (n = 6) were also DOG-1 negative but displayed PKCθ positivity. All of the DOG-1 positive cases (n = 61) also expressed c-KIT. No correlation between the examined markers and clinicopathological parameters was noted.
Conclusions:
The PKCθ sensitivity is similar to c-KIT and superior to DOG-1 sensitivity. All of the c-KIT/DOG-1 negative GISTs seem to express PKCθ. For a proper diagnosis of GIST, the c-KIT/DOG-1/PKCθ panel should be used, with possible therapeutic but not prognostic value.
