Austin Blackburn Wiles1, Jeremiah Xavier Karrs1, Susan Pitt1, Jorge Almenara1, Celeste N Powers1,2, Steven Christopher Smith1,3. 1. Department of Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. 2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia. 3. Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Bader Almutairi; Jessica Charlet; Anthony R Dallosso; Marianna Szemes; Heather C Etchevers; Karim T A Malik; Keith W Brown Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2019-12-12 Impact factor: 4.379