Human peripheral nerve sheath neoplasm: Expression of Schwann cell‐related markers and their relation to malignant transformation

摘要

AbstractWe immunohistochemically examined the expression of Schwann cellrelated markers, nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, S‐100 α‐ and b̃‐proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and galactocerebroside (gal C) in 5 malignant schwannomas, 21 benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and 4 apparently normal sural nerves. NGF receptor was expressed in the malignant schwannomas and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors, but not in the endoneurium of apparently normal peripheral nerves. S‐100 α‐protein was observed in malignant schwannomas and in some neurofibroma cells. All cases were strongly positive for S‐100 b̃‐protein but were negative for GFAP and gal C. Our results suggest that these Schwann cell‐related markers may be useful in identifying peripheral nerve sheath neoplasms as well as their malig