Cadherin 17

Synonyms: CAD17

by Jan Klos

Background

Cadherin-17, also called liver-intestine cadherin, is a calcium-dependent transmembrane glycoprotein that mediates cell-cell adhesion in intestinal epithelium. acting as an intestinal proton-dependent peptide transporter in the first step in oral absorption of many medically important peptide-based drugs. The protein may also play a role in the morphological organization of liver and intestine.

Staining of normal cells/organs

Epithelium of colon and rectum, epithelium of pancreatic ducts, less often epithelium of bile ducts but not other cell types.

Staining of tumors

90% adenocarcinoma colon and rectum, 75-90% lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of colon and rectum, metanephric adenoma, 50-74% adenocarcinoma of urinary bladder and adenocarcinoma of esophagus, 25-49% adenocarcinoma of endocervix and stomach, 10-25% adenocarcinoma of the pancreas and lung, <10% urothelial and hepatocellular carcinoma, endometrioid adenocarcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma. All other tumors are reported negative.

Staining pattern

Staining pattern is membranous.

Application

  • Recommended to use in cases of unknown primary adenocarcinoma. Positivity speaks strongly for origin from gastrointestinal tract. In adenocarcinoma of colon/rectum (distal gastrointestinal tract) Cadherin 17 is more sensitive marker than CDX2 and Cytokeratin 20
  • Sensitive and highly specific marker of metanephric adenoma

Selected references

  1. Lin F1, Shi J, Zhu S, et al. Cadherin-17 and SATB2 are sensitive and specific immunomarkers for medullary carcinoma of the large intestine. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2014 Aug;138(8):1015-26. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2013-0452-OA. Epub 2014 Jan 17.
  2. Ordóñez NG. Cadherin 17 is a novel diagnostic marker for adenocarcinomas of the digestive system.  Adv Anat Pathol. 2014 Mar;21(2):131-7. doi: 10.1097/PAP.0000000000000008. Review
  3. Su MC1, Yuan RH, Lin CY, et al. Cadherin-17 is a useful diagnostic marker for adenocarcinomas of the digestive system. Mod Pathol. 2008 Nov;21(11):1379-86. doi: 10.1038/modpathol.2008.107. Epub 2008 Jun 13
  4. Yakirevich E1, Magi-Galluzzi C, Grada Z, et al. Cadherin 17 is a sensitive and specific marker for metanephric adenoma. Am J Surg Pathol. 2015 Apr;39(4):479-86. doi: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000000401