DF3 (CA15-3) antibody as a marker of cutaneous adnexal tumors.

DF3(CA15-3) monoclonal antibody detects the 20 amino acid sequence of epithelial mucin. In normal cutaneous tissue DF3 antibody exhibits strong and constant positive reactivity with sebaceous and secretory segments of eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. All epidermal tumors are DF3 negative but poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Various adnexal tumors such as eccrine hidrocystoma, tubular apocrine adenoma, syringocystadenoma papilliferum, eccrine poroma, eccrine spiradenoma, clear cell hidradenoma, mixed cell tumor, eccrine porocarcinoma, extramammary Paget's disease and adenoid cystic carcinoma are DF3 positive, which indicates epithelial mucin production by these tumors.