We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Biomarker p-120 Catenin Distinguishes Conventional Urothelial Carcinoma from Variants

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 24 Aug 2021
Plasmacytoid urothelial carcinoma (PC-UC) is an infrequent and clinically aggressive variant of urothelial carcinoma (UC). More...
Initially, PC-UC was identified based on morphology as a potential mimicker of malignant plasma cell and lymphoid neoplasms and is characterized by loss of E-cadherin (E-Cad)–mediated intercellular adhesion.

Sarcomatoid UC, is another rare and aggressive variant of UC that includes carcinomatous and sarcomatous components (i.e., dedifferentiated carcinoma). The latter can be represented by a nondescript high-grade spindle cell proliferation and/or it can demonstrate more lineage-specific change, including, but not limited to, leiomyosarcomatous, rhabdomyosarcomatous, and chondrosarcomatous differentiation.

Pathologists at the Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston, MA, USA) included in a study included a total of 58 samples from 55 patients, as three cases had areas of both PC-UC and SUC. The final breakdown included 25 conventional invasive UCs, 22 PC-UCs, six SUCs, and five micropapillary UCs. Specimen types included 45 transurethral resections/bladder biopsies, three cystoprostatectomies, one anterior pelvic exenteration, one abdominoperineal resection, two biopsies of tumor from metastatic sites (one pelvic soft tissue nodule and one peritoneal nodule), one nephroureterectomy, one penectomy, and one autopsy case.

The team performed immunohistochemistry with the Envision Plus/horseradish peroxidase system (Dako Agilent, Carpinteria, CA, USA), a polyclonal antibody to p-120 (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA, USA), and monoclonal antibodies against E-Cad (Dako Agilent,) and B-Cat (BD Biosciences). Following Tris-buffered saline rinses, the tissues were incubated with the Envision Plus or Novolink Polymer Detection system (Leica Biosystems, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA). Eight PC-UC cases had molecular characterization via the OncoPanel assay developed at the institution.

The scientists reported that E-cadherin, B-Cat, and p-120 showed membranous staining in all conventional and micropapillary UCs. In contrast, most PC-UCs were negative for E-Cad (17/22; 77%) with an additional 2/22 cases (9%) showing cytoplasmic with partial membranous staining. p-120 catenin demonstrated cytoplasmic or negative staining in 21/22 cases (95%). Most SUCs showed an absence of E-Cad (5/6; 83%) and cytoplasmic or negative p-120 in 5/6 cases (83%). Staining for B-Cat was also abnormal in a subset of PC-UCs and SUCs. Five PC-UC cases that harbored CDH1 gene variants were p-120 cytoplasmic positive.

The authors concluded that p-120 catenin is a useful adjunct biomarker to E-Cad in the clinically important distinction of PC-UC and SUC from conventional UC. In particular, the combination of cytoplasmic p-120 and loss of E-Cad is strongly supportive of PC-UC and SUC. The study was published on August 21, 2021 in the journal Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Related Links:
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Dako Agilent
BD Biosciences
Leica Biosystems



Gold Member
Serological Pipets
INTEGRA Serological Pipets
Portable Electronic Pipette
Mini 96
Autoimmune Disease Diagnostic
Chorus ds-DNA-G
New
6 Part Hematology Analyzer with RET + IPF
Mispa HX 88
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: AiPlex VAS for the MosaiQ platform is designed to help reduce time-to-diagnosis for patients with autoimmune vasculitis (Photo courtesy of AliveDx)

Novel Multiplex Assay Supports Diagnosis of Autoimmune Vasculitis

Autoimmune vasculitis and related conditions are difficult to diagnose quickly and accurately, often requiring multiple tests to confirm the presence of specific autoantibodies. Traditional methods can... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: New research points to protecting blood during radiation therapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Pioneering Model Measures Radiation Exposure in Blood for Precise Cancer Treatments

Scientists have long focused on protecting organs near tumors during radiotherapy, but blood — a vital, circulating tissue — has largely been excluded from dose calculations. Each blood cell passing through... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The test could streamline clinical decision-making by identifying ideal candidates for immunotherapy upfront (Xiao, Y. et al. Cancer Biology & Medicine July 2025, 20250038)

Blood Test Predicts Immunotherapy Efficacy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies, making immunotherapy a promising yet unpredictable option. Current biomarkers such as PD-L1 expression or tumor... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: Conceptual design of the CORAL capsule for microbial sampling in the small intestine (H. Mohammed et al., Device (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2025.100904)

Coral-Inspired Capsule Samples Hidden Bacteria from Small Intestine

The gut microbiome has been linked to conditions ranging from immune disorders to mental health, yet conventional stool tests often fail to capture bacterial populations in the small intestine.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.