Specific but variable expression of h-caldesmon in leiomyosarcomas: an immunohistochemical reassessment of a novel myogenic marker

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2001 Dec;9(4):302-8. doi: 10.1097/00129039-200112000-00003.

Abstract

h-Caldesmon is considered a novel specific marker for tumors with smooth muscle differentiation. To reassess its diagnostic use, the authors evaluated the immunohistochemical expression of h-caldesmon and other myogenic markers (calponin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, HHF35, and desmin) in 30 leiomyosarcomas (external soft tissues [15], retroperitoneum [8], uterus [5], other sites [2]), 26 myofibroblastic lesions, and 26 fibrohistiocytic tumors of varying biologic potential and histology. In contrast with previous data, h-caldesmon was expressed only in 11 (36%) of the 30 leiomyosarcomas analyzed, whereas they consistently expressed actins and frequently expressed calponin (86%) and desmin (76%). Leiomyosarcomas with the expression of h-caldesmon were well or moderately differentiated and primarily confined to the retroperitoneum or uterus. All but one leiomyosarcomas in the external soft tissues examined were negative for h-caldesmon, and the h-caldesmon-negative tumors showed moderately to poorly differentiated morphology. All myofibroblastic lesions examined were negative for h-caldesmon despite their constant expressions of at least one of the other markers. h-Caldesmon was not expressed in fibrohistiocytic tumors either, although focal positivity for the other markers was seen in subsets of the tumors. Thus, h-caldesmon can be regarded as a specific myogenic marker. However, one should be aware that the expression of h-caldesmon in leiomyosarcomas can be more variable according to their locations and/or extent of smooth muscle differentiation than considered previously.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leiomyosarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyosarcoma / metabolism
  • Leiomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Smooth / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / metabolism
  • Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Calmodulin-Binding Proteins
  • Neoplasm Proteins