THE VALUE OF IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY
IN THE ASSESSMENT OF BONE MARROW DISORDERS

Attilio Orazi, M.D., FRCPath. and Dennis P. O'Malley, M.D.

CD138 (syndecan-1) CD138 is an optimal marker for plasma cell detection and enumeration in conventionally processed bone marrow sections. Virtually all the normal and neoplastic plasma cells express this antigen. However, in contrast with previously reported data we found reactivity in immunoblastic lymphoma and in Reed-Sternberg cells of rare cases of classical Hodgkin's disease. Tumoral epithelial tissue can also express CD138. References Chilosi 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. Costes 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. Watanabe et al: Varied B-cell immunophenotype of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells in classic Hodgkin's disease. Histopathol 2000; 36:353-61.