SATB2 (EP281)

Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2 (SATB2) is a recently described marker that functions as a nuclear matrix-associated transcription factor. It has been reported that SATB2, in combination with CK20, could identify almost all colorectal carcinomas,1 including poorly differentiated colorectal carcinomas2. Upper gastrointestinal (GI) carcinomas and pancreatic ductal carcinomas are usually negative for SATB2,1 and ovarian carcinomas, lung adenocarcinomas, and adenocarcinomas from other origin are rarely positive for SATB2.1,2 Therefore, SATB2 is a good marker for identifying a carcinoma of colorectal origin when working on a tumor of unknown primary.1,2,5 Another potential utility of SATB2 is to identify neuroendocrine neoplasms/carcinomas of the left colon and rectum because SATB2 is usually negative in other neuroendocrine neoplasms of the GI tract, pancreas, and lung.3 More recently, it has been shown in literature that SATB2 is a sensitive marker for tumors with osteoblastic differentiation.4