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Original article
The utility of ERG, CD31 and CD34 in the cytological diagnosis of angiosarcoma: an analysis of 25 cases
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  1. Harold C Sullivan1,
  2. Mark A Edgar1,
  3. Cynthia Cohen1,
  4. Charles K Kovach1,
  5. Kim HooKim2,
  6. Michelle D Reid1
  1. 1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
  2. 2Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Michelle D Reid, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University Hospital, 1364 Clifton Road, NE, Room H189, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; michelle.reid{at}emory.edu

Abstract

Aims Erythroblast transformation specific related gene (ERG), a proto-oncogene member of the erythroblast transformation specific transcription factor family, is a sensitive marker of endothelial differentiation and is expressed in vascular tumours, including angiosarcomas (AS). Immunohistochemistry is necessary for the diagnosis of AS in fine needle aspirates where low cellularity and lack of preserved tissue architecture impedes diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of an ERG-enriched immunohistochemistry panel in the cytological diagnosis of AS.

Methods 25 AS diagnosed on fine needle aspirates were stained for ERG, CD31, CD34, and AE1/AE3. Staining intensity and percentage tumour cell positivity were evaluated. Spearman’s correlation was assessed for significant correlations between antibodies.

Results Sensitivities for ERG, CD31, CD34 and AE1/AE3 were 100%, 100%, 60% and 21%, respectively. Spearman’s analysis revealed that ERG and CD31 staining correlated significantly; there was no significant correlation between CD31 and CD34 staining.

Conclusions With equal sensitivity to, and strong correlation with CD31, ERG staining is highly suitable for the cytological diagnosis of AS. ERG and CD31 are more sensitive vascular markers than CD34. ERG, a nuclear stain, complements the cytoplasmic/membranous staining of CD31. Used in conjunction with CD31, ERG can corroborate the diagnosis of AS.

  • CYTOLOGY
  • IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY
  • VASCULAR TUMOURS

https://doi.org/10.1136/jclinpath-2014-202629

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    Introduction

    Erythroblast transformation specific related gene (ERG) is a proto-oncogene and a member of the erythroblast transformation specific transcription factor family whose overexpression can be seen as a result of the TMPRSS2-ERG fusion.1–4 ERG expression has been found in numerous types of cancers including prostate cancer,2–9 acute myeloid leukaemia,7 Ewing sarcoma,7 ,10 as well as meningiomas.8 Additionally, ERG expression has been shown to be highly expressed in endothelial cells and is implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis.7 ,11 ,12 Consequently, ERG expression is found in various vascular tumours, benign and malignant.7–9

    Angiosarcomas are rare, malignant vascular tumours that often require immunohistochemistry (IHC) to differentiate them from other sarcomas. The use of IHC is especially critical in cytological samples where only a minimal amount of tissue is present, and the absence of architecture can make diagnosis more challenging. Although studies have attempted to characterise cytomorphological features of angiosarcomas, none of the features are diagnostic.13–15 The sheer quantity of blood in samples also precludes optimal visualisation of cells present.14 Therefore, IHC and clinical history still play an important role in making the diagnosis of angiosarcoma on fine needle aspirates (FNAs).

    Over the years many different immunohistochemical stains have been examined and used to demonstrate vascular differentiation in angiosarcomas. Among these stains are CD31,16–18 CD34,17–19 factor VIII,16–18 and VEGFR-3.16 ,20 With increasing experience, CD31 expression has emerged as the gold standard for endothelial differentiation in angiosarcomas.17 Although CD31 and CD34 are considered markers of vascular differentiation, CD31 is not perfectly sensitive,21 while CD34 is not specific, and can also stain fibroblasts, epithelioid sarcomas (ESs), dermatofibrosarcomas, meningiomas and solitary fibrous tumours among other entities.21 Additionally some angiosarcomas, especially epithelioid angiosarcomas, coexpress endothelial and epithelial markers (ie, cytokeratins).22 The presence of ‘epithelioid’ cells and ambivalent IHC features make carcinoma a possible diagnostic differential,23–26 and can create a diagnostic dilemma, particularly on cytology. In such situations, the use of an additional IHC marker with high sensitivity and specificity for vascular differentiation would be especially beneficial.

    Recent studies have shown the efficacy of ERG in the evaluation of vascular malignancies, including angiosarcomas.7–9 However, ERG has not been specifically assessed on cytological specimens. The aim of this study was to assess the expression and diagnostic utility of ERG in comparison with other vascular markers (CD31 and CD34), as well as a cytokeratin AE1/AE3 in cytological samples of angiosarcomas.

    Material and methods

    Tissue specimens

    A search of the pathology archives of the participating institutions revealed 25 angiosarcoma cases from 21 patients diagnosed by FNA (24 from Emory University Hospital and 1 from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport) (table 1).

    View this table:
    Table 1

    Clinicopathological parameters

    These included cases that were diagnosed between November 1992 and June 2013. All cytological slides were reviewed and the diagnosis was confirmed by one reference pathologist (MDR). Cases were only included in the study if sufficiently cellular paraffin-embedded cell blocks were available for IHC. The diagnosis of angiosarcoma was supported by previous or subsequent surgical specimens (n=15) or personal history of angiosarcoma (n=4); the remaining specimens (n=6) did not have available records for review. Study approval was obtained from the Emory University Investigation Review Board.

    Immunohistochemistry

    The 25 cases had corresponding cell blocks from which paraffin-embedded tissue sections (5 μ) were stained with ERG, CD31, CD34 and AE1/3 antibodies. For each stain a known positive case was used as a positive control with each run. Negative controls were concurrently run, with the primary antibody replaced with buffer. Staining with mouse monoclonal anti-ERG antibody to the N-terminus (BioCare Medical, Concord, California, USA) was performed with the 9FY-clone at 1:50 dilution using the Dako Autostainer (Dako, Carpinteria, California, USA). Antigen retrieval was performed using the Trilogy antigen retrieval method with EDTA at a high pH (pH 9.0) using an electric pressure cooker for 3 min at 12–15 pounds per square inch (120°C), and cooled for 10 min prior to immunostaining. The EnVision+ Dual Link Kit (Dako) was the detection method, which was used according to the manufacturer's instructions, with diaminobenzidine as the chromogen, and haematoxylin as counterstain.

    CD31 (Dako) staining was performed with the 7C70A clone at 1:80 dilution; CD34 (Dako) stain was performed with the QBEND 10 clone at 1:320 dilution; and AE1/3 (Dako, Carpinteria, California, USA) stain with the AE1/AE3 clone at 1:100 dilution. All three stains were carried out on the Leica Bond Max III automated system (Bond, Bannockburn, Illinois, USA). Antigen retrieval is performed on the instrument at pH 6.0. The Bond Polymer Refine Detection Kit (Leica Microsystems, Bannockburn, Illinois, USA) was the detection method, which was used according to the manufacturer's instructions, with diaminobenzidine as the chromogen (brown chromogen), and haematoxylin as counterstain.

    Positive ERG antigen expression was nuclear, positive CD31 and CD34 expression were cytoplasmic/membranous and AE1/AE3 expression was cytoplasmic. Visual semiquantification was independently assessed for each stain and scored by two pathologists (MDR and MAE) for staining intensity (weak, moderate, strong) and percentage tumour cell positivity (1:0–25%; 2:26–50%; 3:51–75%; 4:>75%). Cases were considered discrepant for intensity and/or percentage positivity if there was a two-tier (or higher) difference in scoring. All discrepant cases were evaluated again and discussed between both pathologists until a consensus score was obtained. An immunostain intensity of 1 or greater (scale:0–3) in any cell was considered positive.

    Statistical analysis

    Distribution of gender among cases and the mean age at FNA diagnosis were determined. The number of positive staining cases, sensitivity and distribution of intensity of each stain were calculated. Additionally, correlations between antibodies were tested for significance using a Spearman's correlation.

    Results

    The 25 patients included 15 (60%) women and 10 men (40%) with a mean age at diagnosis of 52 years (range 2–94 years). Tumour sites included bone (n=3), skin/subcutis (n=5), pleural fluid (n=1), lung (n=2), liver (n=2), heart (n=1), lymph nodes (n=3) and soft tissue (n=8).

    Cytological findings

    On smears malignant cells were predominantly singly dispersed; however, spindle shaped tumour cells were also present in some cases. In areas, some tumour cells showed prominent epithelioid (figure 1) as well as plasmacytoid (figure 2) features with peripherally placed nuclei and variable amounts of dense cytoplasm (figure 1). Nuclear membranes were sometimes highly irregular and convoluted. Nuclei had single, but sometimes multiple, large prominent nucleoli, some of which were elongated (bar-shaped), and variably connected to the nuclear membrane by delicate strands of chromatin (figure 1). Mitotic figures, including abnormal forms, were easily identifiable in all cases. Variably sized cytoplasmic lumina were seen on smear and cell block in several cases, and these were either empty or contained red blood cells, debris or neutrophils (figure 1). Architecturally, some cases’ cells were arranged in papillary configurations (figure 3).

    Figure 1
    Figure 1

    (A) Singly dispersed malignant epithelioid cells with abundant cytoplasm, convoluted nuclear membranes and elongated bar-shaped nucleoli (Papanicolaou stain, magnification ×400). (B) Spindle shaped tumour nuclei with prominent nucleoli show focal peripheral cell wrapping (lower right of cluster) (Diff Quik stain, magnification ×400). (C) Tumour cells show focal nucleolar chromatin strands that are connected to the nuclear membrane (arrow) (Papanicolaou stain, magnification ×1000). (D) Tumour cells with cytoplasmic red blood cells and nuclear debris, consistent with haemophagocytosis (Papanicolaou stain, magnification ×1000).

    Figure 2
    Figure 2

    (A) This example of angiosarcoma shows singly dispersed malignant cells with plasmacytoid morphology on cell block (H&E stain, magnification×400). Tumour cells are positive for CD31 (B) and ERG (C), and negative for CD34 (not shown), magnification×400.

    Figure 3
    Figure 3

    (A) Case of angiosarcoma with papillary clusters of malignant cells with central fibrovascular cores on cell block (H&E stain, magnification×200). Tumour cells are strongly positive for CD31 (B) and ERG (C), magnification×200.

    Immunohistochemical results

    Sensitivity for ERG, CD31, CD34 and AE1/AE3 was 100%, 100%, 60% and 21% respectively. In terms of staining intensity, the majority of cases stained strongly for ERG and CD31 (76% and 72%, respectively). However, the staining intensity for CD34 was much more variable with only a minority of cases staining strongly (12%) and the remaining cases staining either moderately or weakly (16% and 32%, respectively). Of the six cases that stained positively for AE1/AE3 most of them stained weakly,4 one stained moderately, and one stained strongly (figure 4). The number of positive cases, sensitivity and stain intensity are shown in table 2.

    View this table:
    Table 2

    Sensitivity and staining intensity

    Figure 4
    Figure 4

    (A) In this example of epithelioid angiosarcoma malignant cells were singly dispersed and plasmacytoid in appearance on cell block (H&E stain, magnification×200). Tumour cells are strongly and diffusely positive for AE1/AE3 (magnification×200) (B), focally positive for ERG (C) and focally positive for CD34 (D) (magnification×200).

    Spearman’s analysis revealed that ERG and CD31 staining percentage correlated significantly (p<0.0001), while there was no significant correlation between staining percentage of CD31 and CD34 staining (p=0.2687) or ERG and CD34 (p=0.5681) (table 3).

    View this table:
    Table 3

    Spearman's correlation

    Additionally, staining intensity between ERG and CD31 demonstrated significant correlation (p=0.0064). However, no significant correlation in staining intensity between CD31 and CD34 (p=0.0748) or between ERG and CD34 (p=0.8461) was observed (table 3).

    Discussion

    We found that of all the vascular markers ERG had the highest sensitivity (100%) for the detection of vascular differentiation in all 25 angiosarcomas. This finding is similar to previous reported sensitivities for ERG in the evaluation of vascular neoplasms. Miettinen et al7 examined 100 angiosarcomas among other vascular tumours and found that 96 cases showed nuclear ERG positivity, while Minner et al found ERG to be expressed in 100% of the angiosarcomas in their analysis of various tumour types.9 McKay et al27 also found ERG to have 100% sensitivity, as well as 100% specificity in their study of 23 cases of cutaneous angiosarcomas, supporting its utility in the evaluation of cutaneous tumours, in which CD31-positive intratumorous macrophages can potentially be a diagnostic pitfall.28 However, to date there are no large cytological studies which have evaluated and compared the performance of ERG with other vascular markers.

    We found that CD31 also had 100% sensitivity, with expression found in all 25 cases. In terms of CD34 expression, 60% of our cases stained positively, meaning 40% of the angiosarcomas were CD34-negative. These results are consistent with what has been reported in the literature. According to Rao et al,22 a tissue microarray study of 70 angiosarcomas demonstrated that 80% of cases expressed CD31 while only 63% expressed CD34. Ohsawa et al also found that CD31 had an 80% sensitivity for angiosarcomas.16 Other studies have also shown similar trends in which CD31 appears to stain more angiosarcomas than CD34.17 ,18 ,29 Taken together our study and previous studies show ERG to be comparable with, or better than, CD31 and more sensitive than CD34 in the detection of vascular differentiation in angiosarcomas.

    When ERG was compared with CD31 and CD34, correlation analysis between ERG and CD31 staining percentage and staining intensity revealed statistical significance (p<0.0001 and p=0.0064, respectively) while correlation between ERG and CD34 and between CD31 and CD34 was not statistically significant. Thus, the data suggests that ERG is just as good in the evaluation of vascular differentiation in our cohort of angiosarcomas. Furthermore, the nuclear staining pattern and the strong intensity of staining (76% with strong intensity) of ERG helps to make stain visualisation cleaner and easier (figure 1). This is especially helpful in cytological samples where specimen preparation can lead to loss of cytoplasm and confusing background IHC staining. A crisp nuclear marker facilitates easier stain interpretation in such cases, hence the distinct advantage of ERG over CD31 and CD34 IHC.

    Keratin is occasionally expressed in angiosarcomas, particularly epithelioid angiosarcomas.22–25 ,30 ,31 For example, Rao et al22 reported keratin to be expressed in 50% of epithelioid angiosarcomas and 9% of non-epithelioid angiosarcomas.22 The coexpression of an epithelial marker is a potential diagnostic pitfall on cytological samples, especially in cases where the diagnosis of angiosarcoma is not suspected. Some angiosarcomas may appear very cohesive and epithelioid on smear and if positive for keratin can be misdiagnosed as carcinoma. In our study, cytokeratin AE1/AE3 only stained 21% of the angiosarcomas, which could have potentially been misdiagnosed as carcinomas if other vascular IHC markers had not been used. In such cases, presentation, clinical history and suspicion of vascular neoplasm can aid tremendously in the diagnosis, especially when IHC does not lead to a definitive diagnosis.

    Limitations of our study include the small sample size (n=25) as well as limitation of sample type, which only included angiosarcomas. We did attempt to include other malignant vascular neoplasms, however cytology specimens of these entities were limited. In fact in the study period (November 1992 to June 2013), only one Kaposi's sarcoma and two epithelioid haemangioendothelioma FNAs with corresponding cell blocks were available. Given the low yield, the cases were not included in the analysis. Additionally, the absence of non-vascular neoplasms also precluded the calculation of specificity, as there were no true negative cases in the cohort.

    In terms of ERG-positivity, the differential diagnosis is short. Beyond endothelial tissue, the only carcinoma consistently shown to express ERG is prostatic adenocarcinoma.6–8 ,32 In the evaluation of 1129 carcinomas, Liu et al32 found that ERG expression was only observed in prostatic adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, the cytomorphological features of prostate adenocarcinoma are distinct from those of angiosarcomas, lacking the intracytoplasmic lumina, intracellular red blood cells, well-formed vessels and spindled and epithelioid cells described in the literature.13 ,14 Although ERG stains a fraction of Ewing's sarcoma10 and acute myeloid leukaemias,7 these morphologically are composed of small round blue cells and larger blast cells, both of which also have a distinct immunophenotypical profile from angiosarcomas beyond ERG positivity.

    An additional diagnostic pitfall is ES, which could mistakenly be interpreted as angiosarcoma on FNA, as ES can be CD34-positive as well as ERG-positive. Miettinen et al found that although negative for the ERG rearrangements by fluorescence in situ hybridization, 38% of 109 ESs were positive for ERG by IHC. However, none of the cases were positive for CD31.33 However, recently loss of INI1/SMARCB1 expression has been shown to be of clinical utility in identifying ES;33–35 for example, Miettinen et al33 found that INI1/SMARCB1 staining was absent in all ES but only one epithelioid angiosarcoma. Thus, the importance of using a panel of stains cannot be underestimated when evaluating these soft tissue tumours. Another study compared two ERG antibodies, one directed towards the N-terminus and the other towards the C-terminus, in the evaluation of ESs. The results demonstrated that the N-terminus antibody stained 19 of 28 cases while the C-terminus antibody only detected 1 of 29 cases;36 this study highlights the importance of antibody clone selection when excluding angiosarcoma. We used the N-terminal ERG antibody in our study.

    It is also important to bear in mind that ERG stains a variety of benign and malignant neoplasms. Thus, not all vascular lesions that stain with ERG are angiosarcomas. Along with the 25 angiosarcomas, we concurrently stained 12 haemangiomas, all of which stained positive with ERG (data not shown). Therefore, when evaluating a suspected vascular lesion on FNA specimens, it is vital to note the cytomorphology and differentiate benign cellular features from malignant ones. Furthermore, looking for some of the aforementioned cytological features of angiosarcomas, such as atypical epithelioid and spindled cells along with intracytoplasmic vacuoles with and without erythrocytes, can help guide the pathologist.

    With equal sensitivity to and strong correlation with CD31, ERG staining is highly suitable for the cytological diagnosis of angiosarcoma. ERG and CD31 are more sensitive vascular markers than CD34. Also, ERG is a nuclear stain, which complements the cytoplasmic/membranous staining of CD31. Thus, when used in conjunction with CD31, ERG can corroborate the diagnosis of angiosarcoma.

    Take home messages

    • Erythroblast transformation specific related gene (ERG) is a sensitive marker of endothelial differentiation and is expressed in vascular tumours, including angiosarcomas (AS).

    • ERG IHC was expressed in all 25 cytologic cases of AS (i.e. 100% sensitivity).

    • ERG IHC has equal sensitivity to, and strong correlation with CD31.

    • ERG and CD31 are more sensitive vascular markers than CD34.

    • ERG, a nuclear stain, complements the cytoplasmic/membranous staining of CD31.

    • Used in conjunction with CD31, ERG can corroborate the diagnosis of AS.

    Acknowledgments

    The authors thank Diane Lawson, Jennifer Jiang and Sonal Bhimji-Pattni, Immunohistochemistry Laboratory, Emory University Hospital, for their contributions and excellent work.

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors All the authors contributed to the idea, conception and contents of the document. HCS and MDR wrote the first drafts of the document; the remaining authors reviewed and/or amended these drafts. CKK performed the statistical analysis.

    • Competing interests None.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.