Epithelial Membrane Antigen
Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) belongs to a heterogeneous family of highlyglycosylated transmembrane proteins known as human milk fat globule (HMFG) membrane proteins. This family of antigens is not restricted to breast but may also be found in secretory epithelial cells, to a lesser degree, in nonsecretory epithelium (eg, squamous epithelium) and rarely in nonepithelial cells. EMA is best considered a broad-spectrum antibody that is reactive against many types of adenocarcinoma. EMA can differentiate between the origins of glandular organs. Breast and skin adnexal tumors are strongly positive. A lesser degree of staining is seen in carcinomas of the endometrium, kidney, thyroid, stomach, pancreas, lung, colon, ovary, prostate and cervix. Embryonal carcinomas, medullary carcinomas of thyroid, squamous carcinomas, sarcomas, lymphomas, and melanomas all tend to be nonreactive or show rare positive cells. Transitional cell carcinomas may show weak reactivity. Note that the cells of anaplastic large cell lymphoma are positive for EMA in a minority of cases. EMA or Leu-M1 positivity, when coupled with CEA positivity, strongly favors metastasis to the liver.
| Ordering Information |
Catalog Number |
Volume |
| Concentrate |
CM 143 |
A, B, C |
| Predilute |
PM 143 |
AA |
| intelliPATH™ |
IP 143 |
G10 |
| VP Echelon |
Use Predilute |
|
| A / AK = 0.1 ml |
B / BK = 0.5 ml |
C / CK = 1.0 ml |
G5 = 5.0 ml |
AA = 6.0 ml |
H / G25 = 25 ml |
L = 100 ml |
