Immunohistochemical Evaluation of GATA3 Expression in Tumors and Normal Tissues: A Useful Immunomarker for Breast and Urothelial Carcinomas

• Published in: American journal of clinical pathology Vol. 138; no. 1; pp. 57 - 64
• Main Authors: HAIYAN LIU, JIANHUI SHI, WILKERSON, Myra L, FAN LIN
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL American Society of Clinical Pathologists 01.07.2012; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Breast - metabolism; Breast - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Carcinoma - diagnosis; Carcinoma - metabolism; Female; GATA3 Transcription Factor - metabolism; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; Tissue Array Analysis; Tumors; Urinary Bladder - metabolism; Urinary Bladder - pathology; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - diagnosis; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - metabolism; Urothelium - metabolism; Urothelium - pathology; Immunohistochemistry; Evaluation; Breast disease; Tumoral tissue; Cytology; Breast cancer; Malignant tumor; Transitional cell carcinoma; GATA3; Normal; Normal tissue; Transcription factor GATA3; Mammary gland diseases; Breast carcinoma; Anatomic pathology; Urothelial carcinoma; Cancer
• ISSN: 0002-9173; 1943-7722; 1943-7722
• DOI: 10.1309/AJCP5UAFMSA9ZQBZ

GATA3 expression has been reported in urothelial and breast carcinomas; however, the published data on GATA3 expression in tumors from other organs are limited. Immunohistochemical evaluation of GATA3 expression in 1,110 carcinomas and 310 cases of normal tissue using tissue microarray sections, 48 breast and bladder biopsy specimens, and 53 breast fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens was performed. Sixty-two of 72 urothelial carcinomas (86%) and 138 of 147 breast carcinomas (94%) tested positive for GATA3. All other cases, except for 2 of 96 endometrial carcinomas, tested negative for GATA3. On fine-needle aspiration biopsy samples, 88% of primary breast carcinomas and 82% of metastatic breast carcinomas tested positive for GATA3. Our study revealed that GATA3 is a sensitive and specific marker for the diagnosis of breast and urothelial carcinomas. When working on a tumor of unknown origin, GATA3 should be routinely included in the initial screening panel if either a breast or urothelial primary tumor is suspected.