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 alpha, beta, and gamma and RXR alpha, beta, and gamma) 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. RAR alpha expression was absent in 3 tumors and was decreased in 3 tumors compared with expression in the control tissues. RAR beta expression in carcinomas was primarily perinuclear; 6 tumors showed increased RAR beta expression compared with controls. RAR gamma expression was absent in 4 tumors and was decreased in 2 tumors compared with controls. RXR alpha nuclear expression was decreased compared with controls in 5 tumors. RXR beta expression was low in 7 tumors. RXR gamma expression was absent in 6 tumors. Conclusions: Aberrant expression of retmoid receptors in sebaceous cell carcinoma of the eyelid might play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of this carcinoma.