Universal expression of cell adhesion molecule NCAM in neuroblastoma in contrast to L1: implications for different roles in tumor biology of neuroblastoma?

Purpose Neuroblastoma is a biological, genetic and morphological heterogeneous tumor with a variable clinical course. NCAM is a cell adhesion molecule belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily with structural similarities to cell adhesion molecule L1. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of NCAM in neuroblastoma and to compare the results to the findings of a previous study which examined L1 expression in the same group of patients. Materials and methods NCAM expression was investigated on a tissue array with 66 surgically resected neuroblastoma samples by immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody clone 1B6 and peroxidase method. Results Strong expression of NCAM was detected in all of the 66 (100%) neuroblastoma tumors in contrast to L1 which was not expressed in all tumors. Conclusion In contrast to L1, which was found to predict favorable outcome, NCAM is universally expressed in neuroblastoma. Therefore NCAM represents a marker for neuroblastomas irrespectively of their stages whereas L1 as an indicator for developing neuronal cells seems to identify more mature stages of this tumor. The high grade of NCAM expression might present a prerequisite for establishment of antibody-based therapies.