Cytokeratin, HMW (HCK)

HCK is a high molecular weight cytokeratin that is expressed in normal squamous epithelium, ductal epithelium and other stratified epithelia. HCK is a specific marker of prostate basal cells. It is often combined with p63 to display prostate basal cells to assist in the diagnosis of prostate related problems. It can also be used to distinguish ductal and lobular lesions of breast.