Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue block

Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue block

FFPE tissue section mounted on a charged, unstained slide

Ambient (preferred)

• Unlabeled/mislabeled block
• Insufficient tissue
• Slides broken beyond repair

Immunohistochemical staining and microscopic examination

If requested, an interpretive report will be provided

Specifications

• CD138 is a plasma cell-associated transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, that mediates cell to matrix adhesion; its expression is inversely correlated with tumor aggressiveness and invasiveness
• CD138 is expressed in plasma cells, as well as pre-B cells, post-follicular immunoblasts
• CD138 can react with Reed-Sternberg cells (classical Hodgkin's disease, results vary from high degree of staining in some studies, to only stromal staining in other studies)
• This antibody is not specific for plasmacytic derivation, since it will also stain epithelial cells (keratinocytes, and simple and stratified epithelial cells), as well as stromal cells and melanocytic cells (see below)
• CD138 expression is not definitive for plasmacytic derivation, unless a hematolymphoid phenotype has been established, and a possible epithelial or stromal (including melanocytic) process has been excluded

Staining pattern

• Cell surface membrane staining

References

1. King BE et al: Immunophenotypic and genotypic markers of follicular center cell neoplasia in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Mod Pathol 2000; 13(11):1219-1231.
2. Capello D et al: Molecular pathophysiology of indolent lymphoma. Haematologica 2000; 183:195-201.
3. Bayer-Garner IB et al: Syndecan-1 (CD138) immunoreactivity in bone marrow biopsies of multiple myeloma: shed syndecan-1 accumulates in fibrotic regions. Mod Pathol 2001 Oct; 14(10):1052-8.
4. Chilosi M et al: CD138/syndecan-1: a useful immunohistochemical marker of normal and neoplastic plasma cells on routine trephine bone marrow biopsies. Mod Pathol 1999 Dec; 12(12):1101-6.
5. Costes V et al: The Mi15 monoclonal antibody (anti-syndecan-1) is a reliable marker for quantifying plasma cells in paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsy specimens. Hum Pathol 1999 Dec; 30 (12):1405-11.
6. Mukunyadzi P et al: The level of syndecan-1 expression is a distinguishing feature in behavior between keratoacanthoma and invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Mod Pathol 2002 Jan; 15(1):45-9.
7. O'Connell FP et al: CD138 (syndecan-1), a plasma cell marker; immunohistochemical profile in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic neoplasms. Am J Clin Pathol 2004; 121:254-263