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Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) Expression in Human Tumors: A Comparison with Pan-Cytokeratin and TROP2 in 14,832 Tumors

  • 0Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
Diagnostics (basel, Switzerland) +

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May 24, 2024

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May 24, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

EpCAM is a reliable epithelial marker found in most tumors, useful for distinguishing malignant mesotheliomas from adenocarcinomas. Its expression is high in many tumor types, including neuroendocrine neoplasms and seminomas.

Area Of Science

  • Oncology
  • Pathology
  • Immunohistochemistry

Background

  • Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in various epithelial tissues.
  • It serves as a diagnostic marker for distinguishing malignant mesotheliomas from adenocarcinomas and acts as a pan-epithelial marker.
  • Understanding EpCAM expression patterns across diverse tumor types is crucial for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapies.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To comprehensively evaluate the expression profile of EpCAM across a large and diverse set of human tumors.
  • To compare EpCAM staining with other established markers like TROP2 and Cytokeratin Pan (CKpan).
  • To confirm the utility of EpCAM as a diagnostic marker for specific tumor types, including malignant mesotheliomas and neuroendocrine neoplasms.

Main Methods

  • Immunohistochemistry was performed on a large-scale tissue microarray (TMA) comprising 14,832 samples from 120 different tumor categories.
  • EpCAM staining intensity and positivity rates were analyzed and compared with TROP2 and CKpan expression data.
  • Statistical analysis was used to determine concordance and differences in marker expression across tumor types.

Main Results

  • EpCAM staining was detected in 99 out of 120 tumor categories, with positivity rates of ≥90% in 60 epithelial tumor types, including adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine neoplasms, and germ cell tumors.
  • EpCAM showed high concordance with CKpan but was more frequently expressed in testicular seminomas and neuroendocrine neoplasms.
  • Compared to TROP2, EpCAM exhibited lower positivity in squamous cell carcinomas but higher rates in several gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas and renal cell tumors.

Conclusions

  • EpCAM is a highly sensitive surrogate epithelial marker, particularly valuable for diagnosing adenocarcinomas.
  • EpCAM expression is significantly higher in seminomas and neuroendocrine neoplasms compared to CKpan and TROP2, enhancing its diagnostic utility in these entities.
  • The study confirms EpCAM's diagnostic value in distinguishing malignant mesotheliomas from adenocarcinomas and highlights its broad applicability in oncological pathology.

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