Epithelial cell adhesion molecule, Epcam

Epcam is a 40 kDa epithelial transmembrane glycoprotein. It acts as a Ca++-independent cell adhesion molecule. It is to be found on the baso-lateral surfaces of epithelial cells. Anti-Epcam may have therapeutic value in colonic carcinoma.

Immunohistochemical expression

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma	primary	grade 1/2	11/641
		grade 3/4	14/831
		unstated	12/441
	metastatic		14/971
	overall		50/288 (17%)1

	Negative	Weak	Moderate	Strong
Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma	0/201	1/201	1/201	18/201
Renal oncocytoma	2/151	10/151	2/151	1/151

Diagnostic utility

Differentiation of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (strongly positive) from renal oncocytoma (negative or weakly positive).

References

1Went P, Dirnhofer S, Salvisberg T, et al. Expression of epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCam) in renal epithelial tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 2005; 29:83-8

This page last revised 31.1.2005.