SATB2 is a novel marker of osteoblastic differentiation and colorectal adenocarcinoma.

SATB2 is a nuclear matrix-associated transcription factor and epigenetic regulator that is involved in osteoblastic differentiation and is also expressed in the glandular epithelial cells of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies have shown that, because of its relative specificity for osteoblastic differentiation, SATB2 immunostaining could potentially be a useful adjunct for assisting in the differential diagnosis of both benign and malignant osteogenic tumors. In addition, because SATB2 is also a highly sensitive and specific marker for colorectal adenocarcinomas, it could also serve as a complementary marker in the differential diagnosis of a carcinoma of unknown primary origin.