Utility of BAP1, p16, and Methylthio-Adenosine Phosphorylase Immunohistochemistry in Cytological and Histological Samples of Pleural Mesotheliomas

Introduction: In most cases, the diagnostic workup of pleural mesotheliomas (MPMs) starts with cytological examination of pleural effusion, but histology is needed to confirm the diagnosis. The introduction of BAP1 and methylthio-adenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) immunohistochemistry has become a powerful tool to confirm the malignant nature of mesothelial proliferations also in cytological specimens. The objective of this study was to determine the concordance of BAP1, MTAP, and p16 expression between cytological and histological samples of patients with MPM.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry of BAP1, MTAP, and p16 was performed on cytological samples and compared with the corresponding histological specimen of 25 patients with MPM. Inflammatory and stromal cells served as positive internal control for all three markers. In addition, samples of 11 patients with reactive mesothelial proliferations served as an external control group.

Results: Loss of BAP1, MTAP, and p16 expression was found in 68%, 72%, and 92% of MPM, respectively. Loss of MTAP was associated with loss of p16 expression in all cases. Concordance of BAP1 between cytological and corresponding histological samples was 100% (kappa coefficient 1; p = 0.008). For MTAP and p16, kappa coefficient was 0.9 (p = 0.01) and 0.8 (p = 0.7788), respectively.

Conclusions: Concordant BAP1, MTAP, and p16 expression is found between cytological and corresponding histological samples, indicating that a reliable diagnosis of MPM can be made on cytology only. Of the three markers, BAP1 and MTAP are most reliable in distinguishing malignant from reactive mesothelial proliferations.