Lei Y., Jaradat J.M., Owosho A., Adebiyi K.E., Lybrand K.S., Neville B.W., Müller S., Bilodeau E.A.
Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace St G132, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University
Lei, Y., Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace St G132, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Jaradat, J.M., Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace St G132, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Owosho, A., Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace St G132, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States; Adebiyi, K.E., Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria; Lybrand, K.S., Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Neville, B.W., Division of Oral Pathology, Department of Stomatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States; Müller, S., Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States; Bilodeau, E.A., Department of Diagnostic Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 3501 Terrace St G132, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, United States
Objective. Ameloblastic carcinoma often poses diagnostic challenges in its separation from benign ameloblastoma with atypical cytologic features or an unusual clinical course. This study aimed to determine whether SOX2 (sex determining region-Y-related high mobility group box 2), a protein expressed in the epithelial basal proliferative zone in dentigerous cysts, is a marker for ameloblastic carcinoma as well as for high-grade transformation in ameloblastic neoplasms. Study Design. Immunoperoxidase stains were performed according to a standard protocol. Immunostains were interpreted independently by 3 pathologists, and scores were recorded based on the percentage of staining and intensity of staining in the cells of interest. Results. The diffuse strong nuclear staining pattern has 86.4% specificity (19 of 22) to indicate the presence of high-grade features and has 76.9% sensitivity (10 of 13) in comparison with benign counterparts (P =.0021). Although previously shown as a marker for ameloblastic neoplasms, calretinin is weakly positive in a few cells in 50% (5 of 10) of ameloblastic carcinoma and 43% (3 of 7) of benign ameloblastic neoplasms, with little value in highlighting the high-grade change (P =.36). Conclusions. The diffuse nuclear staining pattern of SOX2 is suggestive of a high-grade process in ameloblastic neoplasms. Numerous aggregates of cells harboring dense nuclear stain should raise concern for a malignancy. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
SOX2 protein, human; transcription factor Sox; tumor marker; ameloblastoma; enzyme immunoassay; fluorescence microscopy; human; jaw tumor; metabolism; pathology; sensitivity and specificity; Ameloblastoma; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Jaw Neoplasms; Microscopy, Fluorescence; Sensitivity and Specificity; SOXB1 Transcription Factors; Tumor Markers, Biological