Abstract
The expression of the c-erbB-2 proto-oncogene product was investigated immunohistochemically in 474 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded human breast tissue samples. The series included 32 benign and 26 hyperplastic lesions, 32 carcinomas in situ and 384 invasive breast carcinomas, 107 of which were less than 1 cm in diameter. Cytometric DNA assessments were performed on histopathologically or cytodiagnostically identified cell nuclei, using image analysis. C-erbB-2 immunoreactivity was not seen in normal parenchyma or in benign and hyperplastic lesions. Mammary carcinomas in situ were more frequently immunoreactive (59%) than invasive neoplasms (23%). Invasive tumours more than 1 cm in diameter immunoreacted more often (26%) than small invasive carcinomas (16%). C-erbB-2 expression in regional lymph node metastases was the same as in the corresponding primary tumours. Significant differences were observed between the c-erbB-2 expression in DNA diploid and aneuploid lesions; for carcinomas in situ the figures were 40% and 72%, respectively. Invasive carcinomas of DNA diploid type rarely showed c-erb-B-2 expression, irrespective of tumour size and nodal status (7-11%). DNA aneuploid tumours were more frequently immunoreactive with increasing levels during progression (32-41%). Our data indicate that genetically stable invasive mammary tumours seem rarely to express the c-erbB-2 protein, even during progression, whereas genetically unstable invasive neoplasms frequently show c-erbB-2 immunoreactivity which increases during tumour progression.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological anatomy and histopathology |
Volume | 420 |
Issue number | 5 |
Pages (from-to) | 433-40 |
Number of pages | 8 |
ISSN | 0174-7398 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Breast/metabolism
- Breast Diseases/metabolism
- Breast Neoplasms/metabolism
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- DNA, Neoplasm/metabolism
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Lymphatic Metastasis
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- Proto-Oncogene Mas
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogenes
- Receptor, ErbB-2