Diagnostic Value of BAP1, GLUT-1 and Desmin Expression in the Discrimination Between Reactive Mesothelial Proliferation and Malignant Mesothelioma in Tissues and Effusions.

Cytopathology 2019 June 5 [Link]

Önder S, Özogul E, Koksal D, Sarinc Ulasli S, Firat P, Emri S

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of BAP1, 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). Tumors were mostly localized to pleura (66/88, 75%) and of epithelioid histology (75/88, 85%). Cytology samples were from 17 males and 13 females (mean age 58), 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 tumors. 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, 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 the biopsy and cytology samples.