Diagnostic Value of Immunohistochemical Staining of GP73, GPC3, DCP, CD34, CD31, and Reticulin Staining in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Abstract

It has been reported that Golgi protein-73 (GP73), glypican-3 (GPC3), and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) could serve as serum markers for the early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate a panel of immunostaining markers (including GP73, GPC3, DCP, CD34, and CD31) as well as reticulin staining to distinguish HCC from the mimickers. Our results revealed that CD34 immunostaining and reticulin staining were highly sensitive for the diagnosis of HCC. A special immunoreaction pattern of GP73--a diffuse coarse-block pattern in a perinuclear region or a concentrated cluster-like or cord-like pattern in a certain part of the cytoplasm--was observed in HCC cells, in contrast to the cytoplasmic fine-granular pattern in surrounding non-tumor cells and non-malignant nodules. This coarse-block pattern correlated significantly with less differentiated HCC. In comparison, GPC3 displayed a good advantage in diagnosing well-differentiated HCC. In our study, DCP and CD31 showed little diagnostic value for HCC as an immunostaining marker. When GP73, GPC3, and CD34 were combined, the specificity improved to 96.6%. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that the immunohistochemical panel of GP73, GPC3, and CD34 as well as reticulin staining is highly specific for the pathological diagnosis of HCC.

Glypican-3: A New Target for Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

“…A study confirmed that the specificity of the three-marker combination can reach 100% [80]. Other studies have also suggested some potential combinations of markers, such as the combination of GP73, GPC3 and CD34 can improve the specificity of HCC diagnosis to 96.6% [81]; the combination of GPC3 and CK19 can be used for differential diagnosis of liver cancer and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (accuracy was 73.5%) [82]; GPC3 combined with Arginase-1 and HepPar-1 can further improve the diagnostic accuracy [83].…”

Muscle metabolomics analysis reveals potential biomarkers of exercise‑dependent improvement of the diaphragm function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…In addition, the lung tissues of the three groups of rats were stained using a reticulin kit (Genmed Scientifics, Inc.) to further observe the structure of alveoli. The specific steps are described in a previous study (35). Briefly, sections were cut at a 5-µm thickness from routinely processed paraffin blocks.…”

From large to small: the immunohistochemical panel in the diagnosis of early hepatocellular carcinoma

“…Despite this, they still represent good tools for the diagnosis of HCC. [18][19][20][21] Regarding nodule dimensions, one peculiarity of our series is the high incidence of malignant nodules <10 mm: this is due to a 'sub-selection' that we performed at gross evaluation of all nodules that looked suspicious. Thus, non-malignant small nodules-eventually suspicious at radiology and followedwere not selected in this study, as they were not recognisable in surgical specimens among the other cirrhotic nodules.…”