Neuronal and glial markers in tumours of neuroblastic origin

The presence and distribution of different neural markers in 30 neuroblastic tumours (neuroblastomas, ganglioneuroblastomas) and 6 non-neuroblastic tumours were investigated by immunocytochemistry. Neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100 protein, tyrosine hydroxylase, neurofilaments and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were localised in 3 undifferentiated neuroblastic tumours (group A), 12 poorly differentiated tumours (group B) and 15 well differentiated neuroblastic tumours (group C). Non-neuroblastic tumours (3 lymphomas and 3 Ewing sarcomas) showed no immunoreactivity. Tyrosine hydroxylase and, in particular, NSE were found in mature ganglion cells and developing neuroblasts of poorly and well differentiated tumours (groups B and C). S-100 was localised in neuroblasts with slender cytoplasmic processes in the same groups. Neurofilaments were detected in ganglion cells and differentiated neuroblasts (groups B and C) while GFAP was localised in immature neuroblasts of undifferentiated and poorly differentiated tumours (groups A and B). Thus, there are differences in the neural proteins found in neuroblastic tumours and a wide panel of antibodies against neural markers may be a useful tool in the histological assessment of nervous system neoplasms.