Histogenesis of Ewing's sarcoma. An evaluation of intermediate filaments and endothelial cell markers.

Four cases of Ewing's sarcoma, three in bone and one from an extraskeletal site, were studied immunohistologically using monospecific antibodies against intermediate filament proteins of keratin, vimentin, desmin and neurofilament types. All cases were also evaluated for the presence of Factor VIII-related antigen (FVIIIR:Ag) and for the binding of Ulex europaeus I lectin (UEA I), both of which are endothelial markers. In all cases the tumor cells contained vimentin but not keratin, desmin or neurofilaments. The tumor cells could not be decorated with either anti-FVIIIR:Ag or UEA I, whereas the vascular endothelium was positive for both markers. The vimentin-positivity indicates a mesenchymal derivation of Ewing's sarcoma, while the lack of endothelial markers argues against the proposed endothelial origin of this tumor.