Immunoreactivity for hepatocyte paraffin 1 antibody in hepatoid adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract

Hepatocyte paraffin 1 (Hep Par 1) is a monoclonal antibody considered almost specific for normal and neoplastic hepatocytes, that can be used on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Hep Par 1 reactivity has been demonstrated consistently in hepatocellular carcinomas and hepatoblastomas but only rarely in cholangiocarcinomas and metastatic tumors to the liver. Although its role as a marker of hepatocytic differentiation in primary liver tumors has been studied extensively, Hep Par 1 expression has not been explored in extrahepatic lesions, especially rare adenocarcinomas with hepatoid morphologic features. We studied 7 hepatoid adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract (6 gastric and 1 from the gallbladder) for Hep Par 1 immunoreactivity. Focal Hep Par 1 expression was seen in 6 of 7 tumors. These hepatoid adenocarcinomas also showed reactivity for alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen. The presence of Hep Par 1 reactivity in extrahepatic hepatoid adenocarcinomas underscores the fact that Hep Par 1 expression is not unique to primary hepatocellular neoplasms. Adenocarcinomas with hepatoid features must be considered in the differential diagnosis of Hep Par 1 - positive lesions.