Expression of NR4A3/NOR-1 in acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic role of NR4A3/NOR-1 immunohistochemistry in acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of the salivary gland. Methods: A total of 142 tumors were collected from 2004 to 2020 at Nanjing Jinling Hospital, including 24 cases of AciCCs, 12 salivary gland secretory carcinomas,14 salivary duct carcinomas,16 adenoid cystic carcinomas,3 basal cell carcinomas,13 mucoepidermoid carcinomas,7 myoepithelial carcinomas,15 pleomorphic adenomas,15 warthin tumor, 8 myoepithelioma,8 basal cell adenomas, and 7 oncocytomas; 28 normal salivary gland tissues and 2 pancreatic AciCC were also included. Results: NR4A3/NOR-1,a nuclear marker,was positive in 91.7% (22/24) of AciCC of the salivary gland,while DOG1,a membranous and cytoplasmic marker, demonstrated a sensitivity of 95.8% (23/24);there was no significant difference in the overall positive rates(P=0.551), but the stain pattern was different. NR4A3/NOR-1 was negative in normal salivary gland tissues and any other types of tumors in the salivary gland; however,DOG1 showed apical staining in the acinar cells in the salivary gland,as well as salivary gland secretory carcinomas,adenoid cystic carcinomas,basal cell carcinomas,mucoepidermoid carcinomas,myoepithelial carcinomas and basal cell adenomas(P<0.001). NR4A3/NOR-1 showed a high sensitivity(91.7%) and specificity(100%) to identify AciCC of the salivary gland,and in combination with DOG1, the sensitivity increased to 100%. Furthermore, NR4A3/NOR-1 were only positive for AciCC arising from salivary glands but not pancreas(0/2)(P=0.018). Conclusion: NR4A3/NOR-1 is a special and sensitive biomarker for AciCC of salivary glands; combined NR4A3/NOR-1 and DOG1 can be an ideal diagnostic immunohistochemical panel for AciCC.