Lights on HBME-1: the elusive biomarker in thyroid cancer pathology

Abstract

Among the different ancillary immunohistochemical tools that pathologists may employ in thyroid nodules, the so-called Hector Battifora’s ‘MEsothelioma’ 1 (HBME-1) staining is one of the most fascinating, since its real identity is currently unknown. In the present review, the different clinical applications of HBME-1 are analysed, with main emphasis on its role in thyroid pathology with overview on less impactful fields, such as haematopathology or mesothelial lesions. Different acceptable or good diagnostic performances were recorded for HBME-1 in thyroid pathology, being used in routine practice as one of the best tools to screen thyroid malignancy both in terms of sensitivity and specificity. From a speculative point of view, after many attempts to hunt the cryptic target antigen of this antibody, its identity still remains elusive. In this setting, the application of high-throughput technologies (mainly in situ proteomics) may be the exact route to improve the knowledge about the pathophysiology of HBME-1 and to finally unveil its true identity.

Serum Anti-Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies Are Specific in Predicting the Presence of Papillary-like Nuclear Features and Lymphocytic Infiltrate in the Thyroid Gland

“…The first data about HBME1 in differentiated thyroid carcinomas were published in 1996, when the combined application of HBME-1 and CD15 was proposed to highlight cellular glycoconjugates changes related to malignant transformation [ 34 ]. To date, the identity of the target antigen of HBME1 still remains unclear [ 26 ].…”

“…Since these markers are also observed in several thyroid benign diseases, such as goiter, Hashimoto thyroiditis, follicular adenomas, etc., they appear less specific than HBME1. Despite many attempts to hunt the cryptic target antigen of HBME1, its identity still remains unclear in thyroid neoplastic cells [ 26 ].…”