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.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop