Background Our study aims to evaluate how IHC staining of BRCA1 associated protein-1 (BAP1), insulin-like growth factor mRNA binding protein 3 (IMP3), and glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) can help to differentiate MM from reactive mesothelial hyperplasia (RMH).
Methods The expression levels of BAP1, IMP3, and GLUT-1 were investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 38 MMs and 32 RMHs.
Results BAP1 was lost in 20 (52.6%) of the 38 MMs. IMP3 and GLUT-1 were positive in 26 (68.4%) and 25 (65.8%), respectively, of the 38 MMs. The results of IHC analyses of BAP1, IMP3, and GLUT-1 indicated that these markers were characterized by a 100% specificity with sensitivities of 52.63, 68.42, and 65.79%, respectively. In addition, BAP1, IMP3, and GLUT-1 combined showed 100% specificity and the highest sensitivity (81.58%). Meanwhile, loss of BAP1 expression is related to a better prognosis.
Conclusions Overexpressed IMP3 and GLUT-1 in combination with the loss of BAP1 showed high specificity to MM that was different from that in RMH and improved diagnostic accuracy, especially in MM.