Retinoid receptor subtypes in sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid

Purpose: To study retinoid receptor expression in sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid Methods: Expression of retinoid receptors (RAR α, β, and γ and RXR α, β, and γ) in tumor specimens from 10 patients with sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid and in 3 normal incidental tarsus specimens from healthy adults without cancer was studied immunohistochemically by using antiretinoid receptor antibodies. Results: In all 3 specimens of normal tarsus, all 6 retinoid receptors were expressed. RARα expression was absent in 3 tumors and was decreased in 3 tumors compared with expression in the control tissues. RARβ expression in carcinomas was primarily perinuclear; 6 tumors showed increased RARβ expression compared with controls. RARγ expression was absent in 4 tumors and was decreased in 2 tumors compared with controls. RXRα nuclear expression was decreased compared with controls in 5 tumors. RXRβ expression was low in 7 tumors. RXRγ expression was absent in 6 tumors. Conclusions: Aberrant expression of retinoid receptors in sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid might play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of this carcinoma.