HepPar1 and GATA-3 Expression in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms: A Potential Trap for Pathologic Diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression and clinical significance of HepPar1 and GATA-3 in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs).

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The expression of HepPar1 and GATA-3 in 144 cases of NENs was detected using immunohistochemistry, and the relevant literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

HepPar1 was localized in the cytoplasm, and the positive rate of HepPar1 was 6.25% (9/144) in 144 NENs, 9 of which were derived from gastrointestinal and pancreatic NENs, including 4 cases of neuroendocrine tumor, grade 1 (NET G1), 4 cases of NET G2, and 1 case of NET G3. GATA-3 was localized in the nucleus; the positive rate of GATA-3 was 7.62% (11/144), which was derived from 5 cases of gastrointestinal and pancreatic NENs, 2 cases of the lung, 2 cases of the liver, 1 case of the testis, and 1 case of the mediastinum. HepPar1 and GATA-3 were coexpressed in 4 cases: 2 cases of gastric NET G1, 1 case of gastric NET G2, and 1 case of pancreatic NET G3 with liver metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

HepPar1 and GATA-3 can be expressed in NENs, which are potential traps for the pathologic and differential diagnosis of tumors.