High-grade non-small cell lung carcinoma: a comparative analysis of the phenotypic profile in small biopsies with the corresponding postoperative material.

The most recent classification of the lung cancer expanded the diagnostic criteria of its histological subtypes and included its immunophenotypic profile. We performed the study to compare the reliability of selected markers in high-grade non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in the oligobiopsies with the matched postoperative samples. We evaluated expression of p40, p63, TTF1, cytokeratin 5/6, cytokeratin 7, napsin A, desmoglein 3, desmocollin 3 and mucin secretion as detected by mucicarmine staining. The study cohort included 123 cases of poorly-differentiated NSCLC. The tissue oligobiopsy material was available in 38 cases. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) from all postoperative cases were constructed. Comparing the immunophenotype between postsurgical samples and oligobiopsies we found an almost perfect agreement for most of performed IHC reactions. The highest concordance of results was found for desmoglein 3, CK7, and p40, whereas the lowest - for desmocollin 3. Immunoprofile of the oligobiopsies corresponded well to that in the resection specimens. The most useful markers in poorly differentiated ADs are: TTF1 and napsin A, and for non-keratinizing SCCs: p40, p63, CK5/6 and desmoglein 3.