Which markers comprise the IHC panel for primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (panNET)?

• A. gastrin, insulin, glucose
• B. gastrin, insulin, glucagon
• C. insulin, glucagon, glucose
• D. gastrin, insulin, somatostatin

Answer: (A)

In IHC workup of a primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor, clinicians test for hormones the tumor cells may produce to identify functional subtypes and guide prognosis. PanNETs can secrete hormones such as gastrin, insulin, or glucagon, corresponding to gastrinomas, insulinomas, and glucagonomas, respectively. These hormone markers help confirm the tumor’s functional status and origin. Glucose is not an immunohistochemical marker, so it isn’t used in this panel. Somatostatin can also be tested, but the classic informative trio focuses on gastrin, insulin, and glucagon, which covers the major functional subtypes. Therefore, the most informative panel includes gastrin, insulin, and glucagon.