Expression of Hedgehog signalling molecules in microcystic adnexal carcinoma

Background Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare skin neoplasm that has not been characterized on molecular basis. Aim To assess expression profiles of Hedgehog (HH) signalling molecules in MAC and control tumours. Methods Immunohistochemistry was performed for Sonic (SHH), Indian (IHH), Patched 1 (PTCH1) Smoothened (SMO) patient tissue (n = 26) tumour tissue, including syringoma (SyG; n 11), trichoepithelioma (TE; 11) basal cell (BCC; 12) tissues. Results SMO immunoreactivity significantly higher BCC than SyG, TE or (P < 0.001 P 0.03, respectively). The highest IHH observed compared with SyG 0.04). Notably, the SHH protein MAC, even 0.001). In patients (r 0.51; 0.01) correlated PTCH1 expression. Further correlation studies did show significant associations between HH markers assessed > 0.05). Conclusion Our results indicate alterations are unlikely to play major role pathogenesis which contrast morphologically similar TE. observation provides additional information limited pathology knowledge this tumour.