BER-EP4 (Epithelial Antigen)

The antibody is a useful aid for classification of adenocarcinoma. A broad spectrum of reactivity with human epithelial cells, including simple epithelia and basal layers of stratified non-keratinised squamous epithelium and epidermis (1) Immunostaining of a wide range of normal and neoplastic human tissues and cell lines showed that all carcinomas and all non-neoplastic epithelial cells, except hepatocytes, parietal cells, and apical cell layers in squamous epithelia, homogeneously expressed Ber-EP4 antigen. As Ber-EP4 does not detect any normal or neoplastic non-epithelial cells, this antibody proves valuable for the differentiation of the following (i) non-epithelial tumours from undifferentiated carcinomas; (ii) hepatocytes from bile duct cells in certain liver diseases; (iii) mesothelial cells from carcinoma cells in lung biopsy specimens; and (iv) reactive mesothelial cells from carcinoma cells in smears of serous effusions (2).

Recommended Controls

Criteria for acceptable staining is a membranous staining pattern. Colon or breast recommended as a positive control tissue. A mesothelioma if included in the composite control can be a negative control.

Expected staining pattern

Colon

Disclaimer

These methods are intended as a guide only. Laboratories that wish to implement these methods should perform internal validation/verification prior to use. The RCPAQAP does not make any claim or warranty for the accuracy or performance of these methods.