The c-erbB-2 protein in primary and metastatic breast carcinomas.

Abstract

Material from 41 patients with primary breast carcinoma and lymph node metastases at the time of primary surgical intervention was immunostained for c-erbB-2 protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and estrogen receptors. Thirty of the primary breast carcinomas were of ductal type. Six were classified as infiltrating lobular carcinomas, 2 were apocrine, 1 was mucinous, and 1 was a tubular carcinoma. One tumor could not be classified as ductal or lobular by light microscopic examination alone. The number of lymph node metastases available varied from 1 to 14 per case (median, 3.9). Nine (22%) of the primary breast carcinomas (8 ductal and 1 apocrine) expressed c-erbB-2 protein and showed c-erbB-2 gene amplification; 12 expressed NSE immunoreactivity. None expressed both markers. Estrogen receptor immunoreactivity was present in 23 of the 41 cases, including 9 of the NSE-positive cases. C-erbB2- protein-positive metastases were present in 18 cases (44%), and in 13 cases all metastases were immunostained. In 5 cases the expression of c-erbB-2 protein varied from metastasis to metastasis. NSE immunoreactivity was expressed in 10 cases, and in 3 cases with minor NSE-positive cell populations the metastatic lesions expressed c-erbB-2 protein as well. All 9 primary breast carcinomas expressing c-erbB-2 protein had lymph node metastases with c-erbB-2-immunoreactive tumor cells. Eight of the 9 c-erbB-2 protein-negative primary tumors with metastases expressing c-erbB-2 protein showed no amplification of the c-erbB-2 gene.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

• Authors: J M Nesland, L Ottestad, A L Børresen, K E Tvedt, R Holm, R Heikkilä, K Tveit
• Journal: Ultrastructural pathology (Ultrastruct Pathol) 1991 May-Jun Vol. 15 Issue 3 Pg. 281-9 ISSN: 0191-3123 [Print] England
• PMID: 1678562 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• DNA, Neoplasm
• Neoplasm Proteins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Breast Neoplasms (chemistry)
• DNA, Neoplasm (analysis)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Lymphatic Metastasis
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Proteins (analysis)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (analysis)
• Receptor, ErbB-2