A comparison Study of Expression of Transforming Growth factor - alpha in Keratoacanthomas and Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Park, Sung Kwi; Jang, Ho Sun; Kwon, Kyung Sool; Chung, Tae Ahn

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-(TGF-alpha) is a acidic, heat-stable, 50 amino acid polypeptide which is related to cellular proliferation, malignant transformation, and angiogenesis. There are many similarities between keratoacanthoma(KA) and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC). So, it is often difficult to differentiate keratoacanthoma and squamous cell carcinoma, clinically and histologically.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to examine the patterns of TGF-alpha expression on KA and SCC using immunohistochemical staining and to evaluate the usefulness of the immunohistochemical staining with antihuman TGF-alpha antibody on differentiation between KA and SCC.
METHODS
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens that had confirmed to KA(n=12) or SCC(n=10) were performed by immunoperoxidase staining with monoclonal antihuman TGF-alpha antibody
RESULTS
All of KA dmonstrated a diffuse pattern within tumor lobules, but, at the peripheral rim of cells, showed unstained pattern. In contrast to KA, 40% of the SCC had patchy infiltration within tumor lobules, and 60% of the SCC had diffuse pattern which was similar to the pattern found in KA. All of SCC showed well-defined staining at peripheral cells.
CONCLUSION
Immunohistochemical staining with antihuman TGF-alpha antibody could be used on differentiation between KA and SCC.