Immunoexpression of Inhibin α Subunit, Inhibin/Activin βA Subunit and CD99 in Ovarian Tumors

Abstract

The results of immunohistochemical analysis, together with literature review, suggest that inhibin alpha subunit may be a useful diagnostic marker for sex cord-stromal tumor of the ovary. In addition, anti-CD99 antibody may be useful for the differential diagnosis between ovarian tumors. Inhibin/activin betaA subunit has a limited usefulness in the differential diagnosis of ovarian tumor because of its wider immunoreactivity for both sex cord-stromal tumors and mucinous carcinomas. The differential diagnosis of sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary would be better made with a combined use of both anti-inhibin alpha subunit and anti-CD99 mAbs.