Diagnostic value of BRCA1‐associated protein‐1, glucose transporter‐1 and desmin expression in the discrimination between reactive mesothelial proliferation and malignant mesothelioma in tissues and effusions

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of BRCA1‐associated protein‐1 (BAP1), glucose transporter (GLUT)‐1 and desmin expression by immunohistochemistry in the discrimination between reactive and malignant mesothelial proliferations. Methods A total of 88 biopsies and 30 effusions from mesothelioma cases were studied. Control groups were composed of 35 tissues and 30 cell blocks. The 88 mesothelioma cases were from 43 males and 45 females (mean age 56 years). Tumours were mostly localised to pleura (66/88, 75%) and of epithelioid histology (75/88, 85%). Cytology samples were from 17 males and 13 females (mean age 58 years), and 16 pleural and 14 peritoneal effusions. Twenty cytology cases had corresponding tissue biopsies. Results BAP1 loss was detected in 61/88 (69%) tissues and in 20/30 (67%) cytology samples from mesothelioma with a specificity of 100% for both sampling methods. BAP1 loss was observed more frequently in pleural and biphasic tumours. GLUT‐1 immunoreactivity was identified in 54/81 (67%) and 23/25 (92%) malignant tissues and effusions, and in 6/33 (18%) and 6/30 (20%) benign tissues and effusions, respectively. Desmin loss was observed in 74/80 (92%) malignant biopsy samples, 16/21 (76%) malignant effusions and 10/34 (29%) of benign tissues, but in none of the reactive effusions. Concordance rate of results between biopsy and cytology was as follows: BAP1 20/20 (100%); GLUT‐1 13/18 (72%); and desmin 10/14 (71%). Conclusions BAP1, GLUT‐1 and desmin are useful markers in the discrimination between reactive and malignant mesothelial proliferations. BAP1 loss seems to be diagnostic for mesotheliomas both in biopsy and cytology samples.

Can BAP1 expression loss in mesothelial cells be an indicator of malignancy?

“…In our study, only 35.9% of MM cases were exposed to asbestos. We attribute this difference to the fact that the city where we work is far from Cappadocia, and we could not find as significant a relationship as Onder et al [23] did. There were some limitations to our work.…”

“…Environmental exposure to asbestos, especially for regions with abundant white soil, like some provinces of Turkey, is of great importance in MM development. Onder et al [23] evaluated 88 MM cases from central Ankara, which is the nearest city to Cappadocia; they reported that 95% of the cases had been exposed to asbestos and no significant relationship was found between asbestos exposure and BAP1 expression loss. In our study, only 35.9% of MM cases were exposed to asbestos.…”

Biological Mechanisms and Clinical Significance of BAP1 Mutations in Human Cancer

“…In summary, the absence of BAP1 nuclear staining is a valuable diagnostic test to distinguish benign (positive nuclear staining) from malignant (negative nuclear staining) mesothelial cells, including distinguishing benign pleural effusions, benign atypical mesothelial hyperplasia, and benign chronic pleuritis from mesothelioma (7,8,(88)(89)(90)(91). Moreover, negative BAP1 nuclear staining in both epithelioid and spindle cells confirms the diagnosis of biphasic mesothelioma (Fig.…”

A Risk Classification System With Five-Gene for Survival Prediction of Glioblastoma Patients

“…For instance, DES encodes the intermediate filament protein desmin, which is expressed in cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscle cells, and its mutations can cause isolated cardiomyopathies and cardiac conduction diseases (34, 35). A recent study demonstrated that desmin loss is observed in 92% malignant mesothelioma samples, 76% malignant effusions, 29% benign mesothelial hyperplasia tissues, but not in the reactive effusions (36). Thus, desmin may serve as a useful biomarker in the discrimination between reactive mesothelial proliferation and malignant mesothelioma.…”