Immunoprofile of adenomatoid tumours
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Immunoprofile of adenomatoid tumours
IRAS ID
227138
Contact name
Anthony Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
BSUH
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 2 days
Research summary
Adenomatoid tumours (ATs) are benign nodular tumours associated with the female (ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterine wall) and male (epididymis and testis) genital tracts. Despite being morphologically distinctive (appearances under light microscoscopy) the common differential diagnoses that need consideration are lymphangioma, haemangioma, lipoleiomyoma (benign tumours) and adenocarcinoma (malignant tumour), which can require immunohistochemistry. \n\nATs are thought to be mesothelial (a type of cell lining the abdominal cavity) in origin, typically expressing pancytokeratins, calretanin, WT1 and HMBE1 (proteins of cell cytoplasm and nucleus) similar to normal mesothelial cells.(Terada 2011) \n\nLimited data indicates (4 gynaecological cases of AT) unlike benign mesothelial proliferations (in response to inflammation), ATs are CK5/6 (a cytokeratin protein mixture) and desmin (structural proteins) negative. (Terada 2012) A single case of benign mesothelial proliferation showed increased vimentin (structural protein) expression compared to normal mesothelium, (Terada 2011) replicating results showing cultured mesothelial cells showing loss of cytokeratin and increase vimentin expression. (Connell 1983) \n\nThis suggests capability of intermediate filament (including cytokeratin switching dependent on proliferative status or microenvironment (tumour location). This is of interest given cytokeratin roles in cellular stability, adhesion, and migration as well as possible regulatory roles in proliferation, healing and apoptosis (programmed cell death). (Moll 2008) We propose to perform a full panel of intermediate filament immunohistochemistry on AT comparing this to normal mesothlial cells, to provide further evidence of switching. \n\nThere is data showing expression of BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) as sensitive marker when differentiating malignant mesothelioma from benign reactive and normal mesothelium. (Cigognetti 2015) There is limited evidence (7 cases) indicating a maintained expression of BAP1 in AT compared to mesothelioma. (Cigognetti 2015) This will be investigated in our identified AT cases to provide further evidence as a marker of AT for the purpose of service provision.\n
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1937
Date of REC Opinion
13 Nov 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion