Discuss the diagnostic values of thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1) in lung adenocarcinoma

Question 1

What type of antigen is TTF-1

Answer 1

TTF-1 is a tumour-specific antigen (meaning) which plays a key role in the morphogenesis of the lungs and is expressed in majority of pulmonary small-cell carcinomas

Question 2

Detection method

Answer 2

TTF-1 can be detected by immunohistochemical staining, which uses antibodies with dye to detect antigens in tissue samples. A patient can be diagnosed as positive or negative depending on the amount of staining present

Question 3

Diagnostic value

Answer 3

TTF-1 is involved in the regulation of thyroid-specific genes as well as lung and brain.
In cancer cells, it will act as an oncogenic driver leading to extreme proliferation of lung cells

Question 4

TSA for lung adenocarcinoma

Answer 4

HER-2 is a tsa as it can be found at high levels on tumour cells but can also be found on healthy cells at lower levels