Question:easy
Which of the following markers is specific for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)?
Which of the following markers is specific for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)?
Show Hint
Think c-KIT receptor and the drug imatinib.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- CD117
- CD34
- CD23
- S-100
Show Solution
The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
GIST grows from the interstitial cells of Cajal, the natural pacemakers of gut motility. The tumour is driven in most patients by a gain-of-function mutation in c-KIT, a gene for a tyrosine kinase receptor.
Because that receptor protein is strongly expressed, an antibody against it, named CD117, stains almost every GIST. This makes CD117 the signature marker and explains why these tumours can be treated with the kinase inhibitor imatinib.
The other antibodies are not specific. CD34 is often positive in GIST too, but it also appears in vascular tumours and solitary fibrous tumour, so it cannot confirm the diagnosis by itself. CD23 belongs to follicular dendritic cells and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. S-100 points to schwannoma, neurofibroma, or melanoma. Only one antibody links directly to the c-KIT receptor.
So the marker that reliably identifies a gastrointestinal stromal tumour is the one against the KIT receptor.
\[\boxed{\text{CD117}}\]
Because that receptor protein is strongly expressed, an antibody against it, named CD117, stains almost every GIST. This makes CD117 the signature marker and explains why these tumours can be treated with the kinase inhibitor imatinib.
The other antibodies are not specific. CD34 is often positive in GIST too, but it also appears in vascular tumours and solitary fibrous tumour, so it cannot confirm the diagnosis by itself. CD23 belongs to follicular dendritic cells and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. S-100 points to schwannoma, neurofibroma, or melanoma. Only one antibody links directly to the c-KIT receptor.
So the marker that reliably identifies a gastrointestinal stromal tumour is the one against the KIT receptor.
\[\boxed{\text{CD117}}\]
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