Albumin In Situ Hybridization Can Be Positive in Adenocarcinomas and Other Tumors From Diverse Sites

Am J Clin Pathol. 2019 Jul 5;152(2):190-199. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqz032.

Abstract

Objectives: Albumin messenger RNA (mRNA) expression is a marker of hepatocellular differentiation. Most published data are from review of tissue microarrays, and albumin in situ hybridization (ISH) expression across several tumor types is incompletely characterized.

Methods: Sections from 221 tumors were evaluated for albumin mRNA. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm diagnoses. Albumin ISH was performed according to manufacturer-provided instructions. Fifty-nine cases were evaluated with both commercial ISH assays.

Results: Albumin mRNA was detected in all hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and 81% of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. Lung (20%), gallbladder (39%), hepatoid pancreatic (n = 1 of 1) adenocarcinoma, breast invasive ductal carcinoma (18%), yolk sac tumor (25%), and acinar cell carcinoma (29%) showed expression. Both assays were concordant in 93% of cases.

Conclusions: Albumin ISH was expressed in all HCCs studied. It was also positive in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and patchy positive in gallbladder adenocarcinoma and a subset of other neoplasms, which can be a potential pitfall.

Keywords: Albumin; Hepatocellular; Hepatocellular carcinoma; In situ hybridization; Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; Liver.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Albumins / genetics
  • Albumins / metabolism*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / genetics
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / pathology
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / genetics
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma / pathology
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / genetics
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Albumins