ERG Immunohistochemistry as an Endothelial Marker for Assessing Lymphovascular Invasion

Abstract

BackgroundERG, a member of the ETS family of transcription factors, is a highly specific endothelial marker. We investigated whether the use of ERG immunostaining can help pathologists detect lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and decrease interobserver variability in LVI diagnosis.MethodsFifteen cases of surgically resected colorectal cancers with hepatic metastasis were selected and the most representative sections for LVI detection were immunostained with ERG, CD31, and D2-40. Eight pathologists independently evaluated LVI status on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and the corresponding immunostained sections and then convened for a consensus meeting. The results were analyzed by kappa (κ) statistics.ResultsThe average rate of LVI positivity was observed in 43% with H&E only, 10% with CD31, 29% with D2-40, and 16% with ERG. Agreement among pathologists was fair for H&E only (κ=0.27), D2-40 (κ=0.21), ERG (κ=0.23), and was moderate for CD31 (κ=0.55). Consensus revealed that ERG nuclear immunoreactivity showed better visual contrast of LVI detection than the other staining, with improved agreement and LVI detection rate (κ=0.65, LVI positivity rate 80%).ConclusionsThe present study demonstrated a superiority with ERG immunostaining and indicated that ERG is a promising panendothelial marker that might help pathologists increase LVI detection and decrease interobserver variability in LVI diagnosis.

Tumor Budding Is an Independent Adverse Prognostic Factor in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

“…[22][23][24][25] Thus, our data support the reporting of the absence of budding in pancreatic ductal carcinomas as a prognostic factor that may independently predict better outcomes, especially given its superior reproducibility and apparent prognostic superiority over already established findings such as lymphovascular invasion. However, our assessment of margin status may have been imperfect, as no prognostic association was detected on univariable DSS analysis.…”

P2X7Receptor Expression in Coexistence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

“…HT was diagnosed on the basis of histological findings of diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with germinal centers, parenchymal atrophy with oncocytic change, and variable amounts of stromal fibrosis throughout the thyroid gland. Lymphovascular invasion was assessed with light microscopy and defined as tumor cells that were present within a vascular space with identification of endothelial lining 15. After histological review, PTC cases were categorized into two groups, PTC with HT (n=84) or PTC without HT (n=86).…”

“…Lymphovascular invasion was assessed with light microscopy and defined as tumor cells that were present within a vascular space with identification of endothelial lining. 15 After histological review, PTC cases were categorized into two groups, PTC with HT (n=84) or PTC without HT (n=86). Clinical information including age, sex, treatment modality, and survival or recurrence was adapted from medical records and radiologic findings and then analyzed.…”

Spectral photon-counting CT imaging of colorectal peritoneal metastases: initial experience in rats

“…and C.B., with respectively 25 and 7 years of experience), blinded to the date of evaluation and injection protocol, to confirm the diagnosis of PM. For each largest peritoneal tumor nodule (n = 8), microvessel density (MVD) was quantified using immunohistochemistry on the BenchMark XT platform (Ventana Medical System, Inc., Tucson, AZ, USA) using an anti-ERG antibody (species mouse, clone 9FY, dilution 1/10, Zytomed, Berlin, Germany) 46 .…”