[Histonet] Prostate Tumor Markers

[RSRICHMOND <@t> aol.com]

Brett M. Connolly, Ph.D. at Merck & Co., Inc. inquires:

>>One of my colleagues needs to differentiate between prostatic neoplasia and 
BPH/normal. What markers are people using these days?<<

The high molecular weight cytokeratin antibody 34BE12 (also called 
Keratin-903, Enzo Diagnostics' trade name) marks the basal layer cells of prostatic 
glands, and this basal layer is absent in neoplastic glands. This marker has been 
in widespread use for a number of years. 

An immunostain for alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR, also called P504S) 
is rapidly coming into widespread use. It marks prostate cancer cells 
specifically.

Both of these stains, but particularly the AMACR, require a high degree of 
proficiency in the diagnosis of prostatic cancer. They're dangerous in the hands 
of a a duffer.

Bob Richmond
Samurai Pathologist
Knoxville TN and Gastonia NC