Differential antigen preservation during tissue autolysis

Sensitivity and Specificity of Antibodies on Necrotic Tumor Tissue

“…This is not surprising inasmuch as these antibodies are specific for the largest number of different cytokeratins, both acidic and basic, and they have a well-demonstrated utility in identifying carcinomas. Although epithelial markers have previously been reported to be preserved in necrotic tissue, 5 our results are in contrast to the findings of Pelstring and associates, 6 who reported preservation of AE1 after only 48 hours of autolysis and no preservation of AE3 in formalin-fixed material (although staining of both antibodies was slightly better maintained in frozen tissue). As in previous reports, LCA proved to be well preserved in the 2 lymphoma cases in our study.…”

“…Finally, Pelstring and colleagues evaluated antigen preservation in 2 lymph nodes-1 with metastatic breast cancer and the other with reactive hyperplasia-after allowing the tissue to autolyze for periods of 0 to 72 hours. 6 The tissue was then snap-frozen or fixed with formalin, and a panel of immunohistochemical stains were performed. They reported preservation of the leukocyte markers LCA (CD45) and UCHL-1 (CD45RO) in both frozen and formalin-fixed tissue that had undergone autolysis for 72 hours.…”

“…Several studies of antigen preservation in necrotic tissue have been undertaken and support the use of immunohistochemical analysis on necrotic tissue. [4][5][6] However, 2 of the studies focus on postmortem autolysis or its experimental equivalent. 4,6 Only 1 report directly addressed the issue of in situ tumor necrosis; however, that study was limited to a consideration of lymphoid neoplasms.…”

“…[4][5][6] However, 2 of the studies focus on postmortem autolysis or its experimental equivalent. 4,6 Only 1 report directly addressed the issue of in situ tumor necrosis; however, that study was limited to a consideration of lymphoid neoplasms. 5 Here we investigate the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical stains on necrotic tumor tissue, with an emphasis on the antibodies most frequently used to distinguish carcinomas, lymphomas, and melanomas.…”

Lymph Node Infarction in Classical Hodgkin's Lymphoma

“…5,7,[9][10][11][12] In addition, where a diffuse proliferation of neoplastic large cells is evident, a definitive diagnosis of lymphoma may be made in selected situations, even in the absence of viable tumor tissue. 5,7,13 We experienced a case of cHL associated with lymph node infarction, in which RS cells were positive for CD15, CD30, fascin, PAX-5, p53, LMP-1, Bcl-2, and EBV-encoded small non-polyadenylated RNAs. Furthermore, RS cells in the infarcted area were still positive for CD30, fascin, p53, and Bcl-2.…”