A comparative study of p40 and 34βe12 as basal cell markers in the diagnosis of prostate glandular proliferations

Abstract

Objective: The immunohistochemical markers like 34βE12 (HMWCK) and p40 both of which are basal cell markers of prostate provide objective information to aid in diagnosis of specific lesion within the prostate. Our Objectives are a) To compare p40 and 34βE12 staining in the three groups of benign, atypical and malignant proliferations. b) To evaluate the staining pattern of the above markers in ASAP and hence its value in further classifying them into benign, malignant and borderline malignant categories. Methods: 81 prostatic samples were studied in the categories of benign, ASAP and malignant prostatic proliferations. Our study was compared with the similar several studies in the world literature with the similar sample size. Results: The sensitivity of both p40 and 34βE12 is 95.92%, specificity being 100%, positive predictive value being 100% and the negative predictive value being 94.12% suggesting a reasonably good comparison with each other. Conclusion: The use of p40 in the diagnoses of suspicious prostate glands and compares favourably and has close correlation between staining with 34βE12 in basal cells. Both of these tests complement each other and each of these markers provide a specific subset of information.

Keywords

• Prostate Cancer
• ASAP
• p40
• 34βE12