Is cytokeratin a superior marker for detection of micrometastatic biliary tract carcinoma?
Cytokeratin immunostaining enables detection of micrometastases in histologically negative lymph nodes in patients with biliary tract carcinoma. Prospective protocols incorporating cytokeratin staining of the lymph nodes may help determine the incidence and clinical significance of occult micrometastatic disease in these patients.
sCD146 can be used as a surrogate, inexpensive biomarker for the diagnosis of cirrhosis. It is also well correlated with severity of liver disease in cirrhotic patients. Further studies are needed to define its role in clinical practice.