Expression of neural-tissue markers (S-100 protein and Leu-7 antigen) by sweat gland tumors of the skin. An immunohistochemical study.

The expression of two immunohistochemical markers of neural tissue and of cutaneous sweat glands (S-100 protein and Leu-7 antigen) was studied in a group of cutaneous epithelial, mostly glandular, tumors. These antigens were detected only on sweat gland neoplasms showing both types (eccrine and apocrine) of differentiation. These results suggest that antibodies to S-100 protein and to Leu-7 antigen have a limited value in the distinction between eccrine and apocrine tumours, but they may serve as a useful adjunct for the confirmation of the glandular differentiation of cutaneous epithelial tumors.