Availability of CD10 as a histopathological diagnostic marker

Abstract

Cluster designation (CD) 10, a cell-surface neutral endopeptidase, which is usually called common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen (CALLA) has been applied to the categorization of acute leukemia and malignant lymphomas. However, recently, this marker has been widely used in routine histopathological diagnoses for non-hematopoietic tumors since it has been demonstrated to be distributed in a variety of normal and neoplastic tissues. CD10 staining profiles are divided into apical/luminal surface, membranous, cytoplasmic, and Golgi patterns. Recognition of myoepithelial cells of the breast by means of CD10 provides more accurate diagnostic information on confusing breast diseases. In the differential diagnosis of endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESSs) vs. smooth muscle tumors, CD10 is expected to act as a key marker for the diagnostic confirmation of ESS. Intestinal metaplasia in the stomach is highlighted by CD10 expression at the brush borders as well as common-type gastric adenomas. In the colon, CD10 expression may be closely associated with the malignant transformation of adenomas to adenocarcinomas. CD10 is well expressed in prostatic adenocarcinomas, but with the progressive loss of glandular structure, this expression tends to be reduced. In renal cell carcinomas, CD10 has been proven as a diagnostic and prognostic marker. Thus, the unique immunohistochemical expression of CD10 is widely helpful in the surgical pathology practice, and also provides evidence which aids in the interpretation of tumor development.