Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2025
Optimization of a Multiplex RNA-based Expression Assay Using Breast Cancer Archival Material
Published on: August 1, 2018
The Utility of SOX10 Immunohistochemical Staining in Breast Pathology
Rayan Rammal1, Kanika Goel1, Esther Elishaev1
1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Objectives:
SOX10 expression helps identify melanocytic lesions. Over time, novel uses have been identified, such as expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We evaluated the usefulness of SOX10 in breast pathology-specifically, identification and subtyping of TNBC and distinction from gynecologic carcinomas, use as a myoepithelial marker, and in the distinction of usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH) from atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH).
Methods:
Several breast and gynecologic carcinoma tissue microarrays containing a total of 492 cases were stained with SOX10. Whole sections of 34 ADH, 50 UDH, and 29 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) samples were also stained with SOX10.
Results:
SOX10 expression was identified in 67% of consecutive TNBC cases. Expression was mostly seen in nonapocrine, androgen receptor (AR)-negative TNBCs. All gynecologic carcinomas (n = 157) were negative. All UDH cases showed mosaic SOX10 expression, while all ADH cases lacked expression. All estrogen receptor (ER)-positive DCIS (n = 19) specimens were negative for SOX10, while 2 of 10 ER-negative DCIS specimens were positive for SOX10. The latter 2 cases showed SOX10-positive invasive carcinomas.
Conclusions:
SOX10 identifies nonluminal AR-type TNBC and is useful in distinguishing TNBC from gynecologic carcinomas. SOX10 can distinguish UDH from ADH. SOX10 is not useful in distinguishing ADH from DCIS.
