CD30 is a protein found on the surface of certain cells in the immune system, particularly activated T cells and B cells. It plays a role in regulating cell growth and communication within the immune response.
Pathologists test for CD30 to help diagnose and classify specific types of lymphomas (cancers of the lymphatic system) and other conditions. Detecting CD30 can aid in identifying diseases such as Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma, where CD30 is typically present on the cancerous cells.
Pathologists use a technique called immunohistochemistry to test for CD30. In this method, a tissue sample is treated with special antibodies that bind specifically to the CD30 protein if it is present. A chemical reaction then causes a color change, making CD30-positive cells visible under a microscope. Cells that show this color change are described as “positive” for CD30, indicating the presence of the protein. Cells without the color change are “negative.”
In normal conditions, CD30 is expressed on activated T cells and B cells, which are components of the immune system. However, in healthy individuals, the presence of CD30 is usually limited and transient, appearing primarily when these cells are activated during an immune response.
Several types of tumors are commonly positive for CD30, including:
Hodgkin lymphoma: A cancer of the lymphatic system where Reed-Sternberg cells, the characteristic cancer cells in this disease, typically express CD30.
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL): A type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma that often shows strong CD30 positivity.
Embryonal carcinoma: A type of testicular cancer where tumor cells may express CD30.
Identifying CD30 in these tumors helps pathologists confirm the diagnosis and can influence treatment decisions, as certain therapies specifically target CD30-positive cells.