Description

Paired box gene 8 (PAX8) was found to be frequently expressed in primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma. PAX8 is a crucial transcription factor for organogenesis of the thyroid gland, kidney, and mullerian system, and PAX8 also regulates WT1 expression. PAX8 and WT1 had comparable overall detection rates for metastatic ovarian carcinoma in serous effusion specimens. Pax8 is a useful marker in the differential diagnosis of ovarian and breast carcinomas and it seems to be superior to WT1 for the diagnosis of all types of nonmucinous ovarian carcinomas, notably clear cell and endometrioid types where WT1 expression is generally negative or only focal.