Cytokeratin 19 Expression in Common Skin Carcinomas

    January 2003 in “ The Chinese Journal of Burns Wounds & Surface Ulcers ”
    Yonghong Gu
    TLDR CK 19 expression is higher in more severe skin cancers.
    The study investigated cytokeratin 19 (CK 19) expression in cutaneous carcinomas using immunohistochemical techniques on 2 normal skin tissues, 6 squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), and 4 basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). CK 19 was found in the cytoplasm of various skin cells, including those in hair follicles and sweat glands, but not in terminally differentiated cells. The expression of CK 19 was higher in BCCs and grade III SCCs compared to grade II SCCs, with grade I SCCs showing no expression. The findings suggested that CK 19 expression in cutaneous carcinomas was linked to the grade of SCCs.
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