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Updated: Feb 21, 2026
Evaluation of Biomarkers in Glioma by Immunohistochemistry on Paraffin-Embedded 3D Glioma Neurosphere Cultures
Published on: January 9, 2019
GATA3 is a reliable marker for neuroblastoma in limited samples, including FNA Cell Blocks, core biopsies, and touch
Austin Blackburn Wiles1, Jeremiah Xavier Karrs1, Susan Pitt1
1Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
Background:
Neuroblastomas (NBs) are the most common solid cancer of childhood and infancy; however, in poorly differentiated forms, they present diagnostic challenges. GATA3 has been implicated functionally in NB differentiation, and limited data support its use as an immunohistochemical biomarker for NBs in resection specimens.
Methods:
GATA3 was tested retrospectively in 30 consecutive archival NB samples, including archival cytopathology needle cores and cell blocks (n = 6), scant surgical biopsy specimens and 2-mm NB tissue cores (n = 16), and air-dried touch imprints (n = 8) to evaluate the utility of this marker. Immunostaining was performed per the institutional standard, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-compliant automated staining protocol. GATA3 nuclear staining was scored qualitatively for its intensity and proportion of positivity.
Results:
All 30 NB specimens showed diffuse nuclear positivity with GATA3. Each sample revealed either strong (n = 26) or moderate nuclear staining (n = 4) in more than 75% of NB cells, regardless of the presence or lack of stromata or necrosis or the degree of differentiation.
Conclusions:
GATA3 is a reliable diagnostic marker for NBs not only in scant/limited surgical specimens but also in cytologic samples, including air-dried touch imprints, which have previously been undescribed for this marker. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125:940-6. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
