Frequent and specific involvement of changes of the p16–Rb pathway in esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the immunohistochemical expression of retinoblastoma (RB) protein and p16 protein in 10 neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), in comparison to two mixed-type NECs; 28 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and 12 carcinosarcomas (CSs) from patients with esophageal cancer. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed using the avidin-biotin complex detection method. The staining was evaluated as diffusely positive, heterogeneous (in 5-95% of tumor cells), or diffusely negative. Results: The combination of a diffuse loss of RB and the diffuse overexpression of p16, which is found in highly aggressive malignant tumors and is considered to convincingly suggest changes in the p16–RB pathway, was found in all NECs (10/10). In contrast no mixed-type NECs, one SCC and one CS showed this finding. Coexisting intraepithelial carcinoma was detected in seven NECs and only one lesion showed the combination of diffuse RB loss and p16 overexpression. Conclusion: These data suggest that changes in the p16–RB pathway were universally and specifically involved in the development and invasion of esophageal NECs and that it may be a useful diagnostic marker and a potential therapeutic target.