SOX-10 – Nuclear marker for malignant melanoma

Overview

Nordic BioSite offers the SOX-10 antibody as an ultra-sensitive marker for malignant melanoma. It is also useful is a variety of other diagnostic applications.

SOX-10 Product Details

SOX-10 is a member of the sex-determining region Y-related HMG-box family. This neural crest transcription factor is crucial for specification, maturation, and maintenance of Schwann cells and melanocytes. In contrast to other markers of melanocytes, SOX-10 detects spindle cell and desmoplastic melanoma with 100 per cent sensitivity.

This fact is especially important when the tumor mimics other spindle cell lesions with S-100 positivity and does not express melanoma-specific markers, such as HMB-45, Melan A, Tyrosinase, and MiTF. Using SOX-10 immunohistochemistry metastatic melanoma in sentinel lymph nodes can be distinguished from S-100-positive interdigitating dendritic cells, follicular dendritic cells and Langerhans cells in the lymph node.

Fibroblasts and histiocytes that could histopathologically mimic melanoma cells show weaker SOX-10 staining compared to S-100 and MiTF making the interpretation of immunostainings easier1 SOX-10 immunohistochemistry can be used to detect peripheral nerve sheath tumor with Schwannian differentiation, such as neurofibroma (96 –100 % positivity) and schwannoma (100 %). In addition SOX-10 shows a higher sensitivity and specificity than S-100 for malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors2.

SOX-10 Applications:

A study by Nonaka et al. describes SOX-10 as a sensitive marker for malignant melanoma.2. The study found SOX-10 nuclear expression in 97 per cent of melanomas whereas S-100 protein was expressed in only 91 per cent.

A recent review of Nelson Ordóñez describes SOX-10 as a useful immunohistological marker for a variety of diagnostic applications3.

Cary Buresh from ProPath summarizes his experiences with SOX-10 as follows:

“… Sox10 is a superb nuclear marker of melanocytic lesions…. And it is also an excellent marker of Schwann cells and myoepithelial cells in a variety of tumors… We have been using Sox10 with great success … and we think that this antibody is underutilized.” 4

SOX-10 Specifications

Sources:

1. Ramos-Herberth F.I. et al. SOX10 immunostaining distinguishes desmoplastic melanoma from excision scar. J Cutan Pathol 37:944-952, 2010
2. Nonaka D. et al. (2008), “Sox10: A pan-schwannian and melanocytic marker”. American Journal of Surgery and Pathology; 32: pp. 1291-1298.
3. Ordóñez N.G.(2013): “Value of SOX10 immunostaining in tumor diagnosis”. Advanced Anatomical Pathology 20:275-283, 2013
4. Buresh C.J. (2010), “The Utility of Sox10 in Diagnostic Surgical Pathology”, Propath Newsletter: Immunohistochemistry. July 2010:
http://www.propath.com/companies/press-clippings/26-newsletters/175-the-utility-of-sox10-in-diagnostic-surgical-pathology-july-2010

Resources

Click on SOX-10 – Nuclear marker for malignant melanoma for more information.
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Supplier Information
Supplier: Nordic Biosite
Address: Propellervägen 4A, 183 62 Täby, Sweden
Tel: +46 (0)8 544 433 40
Fax: +46 (0)8 756 94 90
Website: www.nordicbiosite.com