CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

CD44+/CD24-细胞在乳腺癌组织及细胞系中的数量与分布

Objective To study the distribution and quantity of CD44VCD24- cells in breast cancer tissue and the cell lines,and as well as its correlation with the expression of various breast cancer markers and molecular subtyping of breast carcinoma.Methods The expression of CD44 / CD24,estrogen receptor,progesterone receptor,HER2,human estrogen-induced protein PS2,bcl-2 and nm23 in 60 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by either single or double immunohistochemical staining.The co-expression of CD44 and CD24 in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB- 231) was also examined.Results The quantity and distribution of CD44 + /CD24- cells varied greatly and no specific patterns were identified.The percentage of CD44 + /CD24- in breast cancer was 65%.The amount of CD44+/CD24- cells did not correlate with the age of patients,lymph node metastasis,tumor　 size,molecular subtypes and expression of various breast cancer markers in breast carcinoma.The proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells in MCF-7,MDA-MB-468,and MDA-MB-231 cell lines was < 1%,5% and > 80% ,respectively.Conclusions CD44+ /CD24- cells are demonstrated in certain breast cancer tissues and cell lines.However,there is no relationship obtained between the quantity or the distribution of these cells and the molecular subtyping or the clinicopathologic parameters in breast cancer.     

Increased expression of CD146 and microvessel density (MVD) in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast: Comparative study with invasive ductal carcinoma-not otherwise specified

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is a rare variant of ductal carcinoma of the breast, and is characterized by a high metastatic potential and an aggressive clinical course. Studies of CD146 expression and function in breast cancer remain scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of CD146 and microvessel density (MVD) in breast IMPC. CD146 mRNA expression and immunohistochemistry for CD146 and MVD measured by CD31 were assessed in 82 cases of IMPC and 137 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS). The mRNA level of CD146 in cancer specimens was higher in IMPC than in IDC-NOS. CD146 expression in tumor cells was up-regulated in IMPC as compared with that in IDC-NOS, and was positively correlated with histological grade, ER, PR status, and P53 expression in IMPC and IDC-NOS. CD146 expression in vascular endothelial cells was significantly higher than that in IDC, and was positively correlated with tumor progression in IMPC and IDC-NOS. MVD in IMPC was significantly higher than that in IDC. CD146 expression in tumor cells was positively correlated with that in vascular endothelial cells of IMPC and IDC-NOS. The association of CD146 expression with MVD and its correlation with progression in breast carcinoma indicated that CD146 is a potentially useful prognostic marker for breast cancer. CD146 could be a new drug target in the treatment of breast cancer.     

Absence of caveolin-1 expression in carcinoma-associated fibroblasts of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast predicts poor patient outcome

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression in stromal carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) has been associated with tumor progression and clinical outcome. This study was undertaken to assess its prognostic significance in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast (IMPC), a tumor with abundant stromal CAFs and a high tendency for nodal metastasis and poor outcome. Cav-1 expression was studied by immunohistochemistry in a group of 86 cases of IMPC along with a control group of 105 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified (IDC-NOS). Our results indicate that absence of Cav-1 expression in CAFs of IMPC is more common than in IDC-NOS (57 %, 49/86 vs. 36 %, 38/105). The absence of expression was associated with larger tumor size and higher lymph node stage (P?P?=?0.001), which was confirmed by multivariable analysis (P?=?0.018). In patients with IMPC spreading to local lymph nodes, loss of stromal Cav-1 predicted a fourfold increase in risk for shortened PFS. In contrast, no significant difference of tumor epithelial Cav-1 expression was found between IMPC and IDC-NOS, and the expression of tumor Cav-1 was not significantly associated with the prognosis of patients with IMPC. Absence of Cav-1 expression in CAFs is a strong prognostic factor for IMPC patients, and it may further subgroup the patients with lymph node metastasis to guide clinical management.     

Breast carcinoma with micropapillary features: clinicopathologic study and long-term follow-up of 100 cases

To study the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of breast (IMPC), 100 cases of invasive breast carcinoma with an IMPC component were reviewed. Compared with invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified, with similar histologic grades, carcinomas with IMPC were larger sized, had a higher lymph node metastasis rate with more nodes involved per case, and exhibited increased lymphovascular invasion. The presence of IMPC strongly correlated with the more aggressive behavior. No significant association was established between the proportion of the IMPC component and overall tumor size, histologic grade, lymph node metastasis rate, and distant metastasis, but a trend was noted. Long-term follow-up demonstrated a poorer 5-year and 10-year survival rate for patients with breast carcinoma containing an IMPC component. Breast carcinomas with micropapillary features are more aggressive tumors with a poorer prognosis. This specific structure should be carefully evaluated in the surgical pathology examination of breast carcinoma specimens.     

Increased expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 is associated with lymph node metastasis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast

Aims:  Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 are implicated in tumour chemotaxis and metastasis. The aim was to examine their roles in the metastasis of invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast, a tumour with a high propensity for nodal spread.
Methods and results:  We compared the expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in 103 cases of breast cancer containing IMPC components with a control group of 96 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), not otherwise specified type by immunohistochemistry and chemical in situ hybridization (CISH). The results showed that the predominant cytoplasmic expression of both SDF-1 and CXCR4 was greater in tumour cells of the IMPC components than in those of the non-IMPC components and the control IDC cases, and was correlated significantly with the number of positive lymph nodes ( P  < 0.05). SDF-1 expression on cell membranes was less frequently identified in IMPC than IDC ( P  = 0.021). Immunohistochemical detection of SDF-1 in endothelial cells of lymphatic vessels was more common in IMPC ( P   =  0.007) and correlated significantly with lymph node status ( P  = 0.002), although SDF-1 mRNA was rarely detected by CISH.
Conclusions:  This study suggests that up-regulation of cytoplasmic expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 might be one of the molecular mechanisms facilitating lymph node metastasis of IMPC.     

SLP-2基因在喉鳞状细胞癌和乳腺浸润性癌组织中的表达及其与预后的关系

目的 探讨两种恶性上皮性肿瘤组织--喉鳞状细胞癌(简称喉癌)和乳腺浸润性癌(简称乳腺癌)中stomatin like protein-2(SLP-2)基因在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达,及其与肿瘤的临床病理参数和预后的相关性.方法 应用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测了46对喉癌及喉正常上皮组织中SLP-2基因的表达,Western blot方法检测了其中10对标本的SLP-2蛋白表达,同时采用免疫组织化学方法分别检测了104例喉癌组织芯片和263例乳腺癌组织芯片中SLP-2蛋白的表达水平,分析SLP-2蛋白的表达与临床病理变量之间的关系.结果 RT-PCR结果显示SLP-2基因在46例喉癌中的38例肿瘤组织中的表达升高(83%,38/46),喉正常上皮组织中表达阴性.Western blot结果显示,有7例喉癌组织中SLP-2蛋白表达显著高于对应的喉正常上皮组织.喉癌组织芯片的免疫组织化学染色结果显示,与全部20例喉正常上皮组织的阴性表达(0/20)相比,SLP-2蛋白染色在104例喉癌组织中有36例出现了过表达(34.6%,36/104;P=0.000).与喉正常上皮表达相比,喉癌组织中SLP-2基因在mRNA和蛋白水平的表达均明显升高.SLP-2蛋白过表达与喉癌患者的临床分期较晚(P<0.01)和淋巴结发生转移(P=0.003)密切相关.乳腺癌组织芯片免疫组织化学染色结果显示,与在正常乳腺组织中的阴性表达(0/10)相比,SLP-2蛋白在乳腺癌组织中呈现过表达(52.5%,138/263),差异有统计学意义(P:0.000),且该蛋白的过表达与乳腺肿物的大小(P=0.020)、淋巴结转移(P<0.01)、临床分期Ⅲ期(P<0.01)以及发生远处转移(P=0.002)密切相关.此外,还与HER2/neu蛋白的表达存在显著相关性(P:0.037),生存分析表明,SLP-2蛋白过表达乳腺癌患者总生存率显著降低.多因素分析显示淋巴结状态、HER2/neu蛋白表达和SLP-2蛋白表达可能作为独立的预后因子.结论 SLP-2蛋白的过表达可能与喉癌和乳腺癌的侵袭、转移过程密切相关,并可能作为独立的预后指标提示乳腺癌患者预后不良.     

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C and its receptor in invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast

Invasion to lymphatic vessels and metastasis to lymph nodes are frequent complications in invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of human breast cancer. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor, VEGFR-3 have been implicated as the important factors in the formation of lymphatic vessels and recent experimental evidence strongly suggests that lymphangiogenesis in tumor promotes lymphatic metastasis. To clarify the mechanism of its occurrence, the expression of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3 and lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was examined in 40 cases of IMPC (pure and mixed type) and in 40 cases of pseudo-IMPC. Cytoplasmic expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were more frequent in tumor cells of IMPC compared to those of pseudo-IMPC. A significant positive correlation was found between the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in both IMPC and pseudo-IMPC. The expression of VEGF-C was also significantly associated with higher peritumoral LVD, lymphatic invasion and number of lymph node metastasis in IMPC. These findings suggest that VEGF-C promotes the proliferation of peritumoral lymphatic vessels and that lymphatic invasion and metastasis to lymph nodes are frequently induced in IMPC of breast.     

乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌上皮性钙黏附素的表达及意义

目的 研究细胞黏附分子,在乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌肿瘤细胞的集团性浸润、转移中的表达和作用。方法 复习2002年1月～2003年5月所有手术切除乳腺癌组织切片,按WHO乳腺癌分类分组,浸润性微乳头状癌(IMPC)64例、浸润性导管癌(IDC)57例。采用免疫组织化学标记的链霉素抗生物素蛋白-生物素(LSAB)法检测64例IMPC中E-钙黏附素的表达,并同IDC加以比较。结果 E-钙黏附素主要表达于IMPC细胞膜;IMPCE-钙黏附素表达率(85．9％,55／64)明显高于IDC(43．9％,25／57),并且在微乳头状肿瘤细胞集团内的细胞间连接面表达正常,而在细胞集团面向间质侧的表达明显减弱或不表达;IMPC组的淋巴结转移率(85．9％,55／64)明显高于IDC(52．6％,30／57)．．其淋巴结阳性、E-钙黏附素阳性病例的d-连接素、B-连接素共同表达率(45．1％,26／51)也明显高于IDC(15．4％,2／13)。结论 IMPC的微乳头状肿瘤细胞集团内细胞间黏附性强、而与间质间的黏附性减弱或消失的特性可能是IMPC具有高转移潜能的原因之一。     

白细胞介素-1β的表达及间质微血管密度在乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌中的意义

目的 研究白细胞介素(IL)-1β的表达和间质微血管密度在乳腺浸润性微乳头状癌(IMPC)中的意义.方法 采用免疫组织化学LSAB法检测100例IMPC、97例浸润性导管癌(IDC)中IL-1β和CD34的表达并计数微血管密度,比较其差异并分析IMPC中IL-1β、CD34的表达与ER、PR、肿瘤细胞增殖指数Ki-67、组织学分级和淋巴结转移等主要病理学特征的关系.结果 (1)IMPC中IL-1β的表达与IDC差异无统计学意义(P=0.924);(2)IMPC中IL-1β的表达与Ki-67的表达(x2=7.538,P=0.023)、组织学分级(x2=6.556,P=0.038)及淋巴结转移个数(P=0.008)呈正相关,而与ER呈负相关(z=-2.106,P=0.035);(3)微血管密度:IMPC组(66.4±15.9)明显高于IDC组(60.0±14.1,t=2.995,P=0.003),且在IMPC中淋巴结转移组(68.8±13.9)显著高于无淋巴结转移组(54.4±20.7,t=-3.459,P=0.001);IMPC中组织学Ⅱ、Ⅲ级组(68.3±15.0)显著高于I级组(59.9±17.6,t=-2.281,P=0.025),而微血管密度与ER、PR、Ki-67表达无相关性.结论 IL-1β表达增高、间质微血管密度增加可能是促进乳腺IMPC肿瘤细胞增殖和淋巴结转移的关键因素.     

乳腺癌中同源异型盒基因(HOX)A5表达的研究

目的研究乳腺癌组织中同源异型盒基因（HOX）A5mRNA和蛋白表达,并分析其与乳腺癌临床病理参数间的相关性,以探讨HOXA5基因在乳腺癌发生、发展及转移中的作用。方法运用TaqMan实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应（Real-time RT-PCR）技术检测60例乳腺癌（其中54例浸润性导管癌）和24例乳腺良性病变中HOXA5 mRNA表达,免疫组织化学SP法检测HOXA5蛋白表达。统计学办法分析HOXA5攮因表达与乳腺癌临床病理参数间的关系。结果（1）乳腺癌中HOXA5 mRNA相对表达量为0．73～193．07,均值为20．85;乳腺良性病变中相对表达量为5．42～81.91,均值为30．94。乳腺癌HOXA5 mRNA表达明显低于良性乳腺病变（P〈0．01）。（2）乳腺癌中HOXA5蛋白表达减少或消失。（3）淋巴结转移阳性乳腺癌病例HOXA5 mRNA表达明显低于转移阴性组,两者间差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。HOXA5蛋白在淋巴结转移阳性和阴性乳腺癌中的表达差异具有显著性（P〈0．01）。淋巴结转移阳性的乳腺癌中HOXA5蛋白主要呈弱阳性表达或表达缺失,在淋巴结转移阴性的乳腺癌中主要呈中度至强阳性表达。（4）HOXA5 mRNA和蛋白表达与乳腺癌患者年龄、肿瘤大小、临床分期、组织学分型、浸润性导管癌分级等其他临床病理学参数间未见相关性（P〉0．05）。结论HOXA5基因表达异常可能与乳腺癌有关。HOXA5基因表达抑制可能与乳腺癌淋巴结转移有关。     

Incomplete inside-out growth pattern in invasive breast carcinoma: association with lymph vessel invasion and recurrence-free survival

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) is a rare subtype of epithelial tumor of the breast listed in the 2003 World Health Organization histologic classification of tumors of the breast. It is characterized by inside-out micropapillary morphology, frequent lymph vessel invasion (LVI), and lymph node metastasis; however, its etiology remains unknown. This study investigated the incomplete inside-out growth pattern (IGP) in invasive ductal carcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS), and examined the association between incomplete IGP and clinicopathologic features, including the presence of intratumoral lymph vessels (ILV), LVI, nodal metastasis, and prognosis. Tumor tissues from 166 invasive duct carcinomas NOS and 10 IMPCs were immunostained using an anti-epithelial membrane antigen antibody to detect IGP and with D2-40 antibody to determine the presence of ILV and LVI. Incomplete IGP was detected focally in 88 (53%) of 166 invasive duct carcinomas NOS. Transition areas between IMPC and invasive duct carcinoma NOS also showed prominent incomplete IGP in 9 (90%) of 10 IMPCs. Incomplete IGP in invasive duct carcinomas NOS was associated with larger tumor size, higher frequencies of ILV, LVI, nodal metastasis, and poorer recurrence-free survival by univariate analysis. Incomplete IGP, ILV, and tumor size independently affected LVI by multivariate analysis. These findings indicate that incomplete IGP of tumor cell clusters is not uncommon and is a useful tool for predicting LVI in invasive duct carcinoma NOS of the breast.