Epithelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (EpCAM) expression in human tumours: a comparison with pan-cytokeratin in 11,053 tumours

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (EpCAM) is an epithelial membrane glycoprotein, often used as a surrogate pan-epithelial marker. To compare the expression patterns of EpCAM and pankeratin antibody (CKpan), gold standard detection, tissue microarrays containing 11,053 samples from 101 different tumor types were analysed by immunohistochemistry. staining was detectable in 99 (82.5%) 120 tumour categories including 85 (70.8%) entities with at least one strongly positive case. Among 76 types, positivity rate ≥99% 46 (59%) 90–98.9% 14 (18.4%). Entities particularly high rates included adenocarcinomas, neuroendocrine neoplasms well germ tumours. neoplasms, lowest hepatocellular carcinomas, adrenocortical tumours, renal carcinomas poor differentiation. The comparison CKpan identified concordance but higher for testicular seminomas mesotheliomas, very poorly differentiated non-neuroendocrine These data confirm marker adenocarcinomas distinction malignant neoplasms. predominates mesotheliomas carcinomas.