OCT-4 (EP143), RMab

Summary and Explanation

OCT-4 (octamer-binding transcription factor 4) also known as POU5F1 (POU domain, class 5, transcription factor 1) is a protein that in humans is homeodomain transcription factor of the POU family. This protein is critically involved in the self-renewal of undifferentiated embryonic stem cells. Clear cell carcinoma may enter the differential diagnosis of dysgerminoma as both may grow in nests or tubules, contain clear cells, and have a prominent inflammatory infiltrate (lymphocytes in dysgerminoma and plasma cells in clear cell carcinoma).

Expression of the OCT-4 antibody is potentially correlated with tumorigenesis and can affect some aspects of tumor behavior such as tumor recurrence or resistance to therapies. OCT-4 is expressed in undifferentiated pluriopotency cells, germ cells in ovary and testes. OCT-4 is a sensitive and specific marker for germ cell tumors. It is consistently detected in carcinoma in situ/ gonadoblastoma, seminomas, germinoma, dysgerminoma, and embryonal carcinoma but not in the differentiated components of nonseminomas.