Cytokeratin 5/6 antibodies are antibodies that target both cytokeratin 5 and cytokeratin 6.[1] These are used in immunohistochemistry, often called CK 5/6 staining,[2] including the following applications:
- Identifying basal cells or myoepithelial cells in the breast and prostate.[1]
- For breast pathology, also in distinguishing usual ductal hyperplasia (UDH) and papillary lesions (having a mosaic-like pattern) from ductal carcinoma in situ, which is usually negative.[1] Cyclin D1 and CK5/6 staining could be used in concert to distinguish between the diagnosis of papilloma (Cyclin D1 < 4.20%, CK 5/6 positive) or papillary carcinoma (Cyclin D1 > 37.00%, CK 5/6 negative).[2]
- In the lung, distinguishing epithelioid mesothelioma (CK5/6 positive in 83%) from lung adenocarcinoma (CK5/6 negative in 85%).[1]