Salivary gland immunohistochemistry

The entire glandular structure of the salivary gland consists of luminal (acinar and ductal) cells and abluminal (myoepithelial and basal) cells.

Luminal cells are positive for:

• Low MW cytokeratins, such as Cam5.2.

• CEA

• EMA

• CD117: negative in normal salivary gland but positive in many tumours

Abluminal cells are positive for:

• High MW cytokeratins, such as 34bE12, CK14

• Antibodies agaisnt myoid cells, such as muscle-specific actin, smooth muscle actin and calponin

• p63, but also stains squamous cells

• CD10, but it lacks specificity

• Maspin

Ki67 proliferation index is a prognsotic marker in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Nuclear expression of NM23 is restricted to malignant salivary gland tumour with metastases.

References

1 Hotte SJ, Winquist EW, Lamont E, et al. Imatinib mesylate in patients with adenoid cystic cancers of the salivary glands expressing c-kit: a Princess Margaret Hospital phase II consortium study. J Clin Oncol 2005; 23:585-90

This page last revised 7.7.2007.