Immunohistochemical Analysis of c-erbB-2 Oncogene Product and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression in Human Urinary Bladder Carcinomas

Expression of the product of the c- erb 6–2 gene, a protooncogene related to, but distinct from c- erb B-1 encoding the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R), was investigated in human urinary bladder carcinomas. In addition, levels of EGF-R and transferrin receptor were also analyzed using an immunohistochemical approach, and the results compared with histological pattern and grading, and tumor staging. Increased expression of c- erb B-2 product was found in 32% of cases (7/22), a positive reaction being observed in 60% of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) Grade 3 lesions (3/5), 20% of Grade 2 TCCs (2/10) and 100% of adenocarcinomas (AC) (2/2), but in none of the cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although no statistical correlation with staging was evident, TCCs or SCCs of high grade and stage often showed EGF-R-positive staining, whereas other well differentiated lesions and normal bladder epithelium were generally negative. Most cases of urinary bladder carcinoma were positive for the transferrin receptor, which was not detected in normal bladder. The results thus suggested that a positive reaction for c- erb B-2 product is correlated with TCC histological grading or AC morphology. A high intensity of EGF-R staining in human bladder carcinomas may be associated with poor differentiation and invasion, whereas transferrin receptor expression might reflect tumor growth.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

Recent studies suggest that expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) is elevated in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder and that inhibition of Cox-2 activity suppresses bladder cancer in experimental animal models. We have investigated the expression of Cox-2 protein in human TCCs (n = 85), in in situ carcinomas (Tis) of the urinary bladder (n = 17), and in nonneoplastic urinary bladder samples (n = 16) using immunohistochemistry. Cox-2 immunoreactivity was detected in 66% (67 of 102) of the carcinomas, whereas only 25% (4 of 16) of the nonneoplastic samples were positive (P: < 0.005). Cox-2 immunoreactivity localized to neoplastic cells in the carcinoma samples. The rate of positivity was the same in invasive (T1-3; 70%, n = 40) and in noninvasive (Tis and Ta; 65%, n = 62) carcinomas, but noninvasive tumors had a higher frequency (32%) of homogenous pattern of staining (>90% of the tumor cells positive) than the invasive carcinomas (10%) (P: < 0.05). However, several invasive TCCs exhibited the strongest intensity of Cox-2 staining in the invading cells, whereas other parts of the tumor were virtually negative. Finally, strong Cox-2 positivity was also found in nonneoplastic ulcerations (2 of 2) and in inflammatory pseudotumors (2 of 2), in which the immunoreactivity localized to the nonepithelial cells. Taken together, our data suggest that Cox-2 is highly expressed in noninvasive bladder carcinomas, whereas the highest expression of invasive tumors associated with the invading cells, and that Cox-2 may also have a pathophysiological role in nonneoplastic conditions of the urinary bladder, such as ulcerations and inflammatory pseudotumors.     

Transitional cell carcinomas of the ovary and bladder are immunophenotypically different

AIMS: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the ovary is a subtype of ovarian cancer whose main characteristic is its histological resemblance to TCC of the bladder. Thrombomodulin (TM), a surface glycoprotein commonly expressed in normal and neoplastic urothelium, has been proven to be a good marker for TCC of the bladder. To better define the phenotype of TCC of the ovary, we investigated TM, cytokeratin 20 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) expression in 15 TCCs of the ovary and compared their phenotype with that of 20 TCCs of the bladder, and 20 serous and 10 endometrioid carcinomas of the ovary. METHODS AND RESULTS: Immunostaining was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. All 20 TCCs of the bladder stained for TM and cytokeratin 20, and 13 stained for CEA. None of the TCCs of the ovary reacted for TM or cytokeratin 20, and only two expressed CEA. All of the serous and endometrioid carcinomas were negative for TM and cytokeratin 20. CEA positivity was observed in two of the serous carcinomas, but in none of the endometrioid carcinomas. CONCLUSION: The immunophenotype of TCC of the ovary is similar to that of other surface carcinomas of the ovary, but differs from that of TCC of the bladder. Since immunohistochemical procedures are often used in the diagnosis and classification of both primary and metastatic tumours, it is important to be aware of these differences in immunophenotype.     

膀胱移行细胞癌中fhit基因和survivin基因的表达和意义

目的探讨fhit基因和survivin基因在膀胱移行细胞癌中的表达和意义。方法用免疫组化S-P法检测62例膀胱移行细胞癌组织及10例正常膀胱粘膜组织中fhit蛋白和survivin蛋白的表达。结果10例正常膀胱粘膜组织中fhit蛋白表达均为阳性，survivin蛋白表达均为阴性；fhit蛋白在膀胱移行细胞癌中阳性表达率为46．77％（29／62），肿瘤不同分级中随恶性程度的增长表达减少，Ⅰ级与Ⅲ级比较，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），不同临床分期中随分期的增长表达减少，Tis～T1与T2～T4比较，差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）；survivin蛋白在膀胱移行细胞癌中阳性表达率为56．5％（35／62），肿瘤不同分级中随恶性程度的增高表达增高（P〈0．05），不同临床分期中随分期的增长表达增高，差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；fhit蛋白和survivin蛋白表达相关（P〈0．05）。结论Fhit基因和survivin基因在膀胱移行细胞癌的发生、发展过程中起着重要的作用。Fhit基因可能通过肿瘤凋亡抑制途径发挥作用的。     

c-erbB-2 (HER-2/neu) oncopeptide immunoreactivity in localized, high-grade transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.

Monoclonal antibodies to the extracellular domain of the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein (p185) react with routinely processed, paraffin-embedded human tissues, and positive staining with these reagents has been shown to correlate with gene overexpression. To determine whether such antibodies would add prognostic data to the analysis of a pre-defined subset of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, we studied 20 high-grade (Grade 3) TCCs from patients known to have limited disease (Jewett-Strong stages B1, B2, and C) and for whom at least 3-yr clinical follow-up was available. Data procured from this immunohistochemical analysis were compared with tumoral DNA content (determined by flow cytometry) and conventional clinicopathologic features. Overall, 13 of 20 TCC (65%) were reactive for p185-erbB-2. However, there was no apparent relationship between p185-reactivity and either DNA content, tumor stage or clinical outcome. These results suggest that c-erbB-2 expression may be augmented in localized high-grade TCC but that there is no evidence for the contention that this phenomenon has any effect on the biologic behavior of these neoplasms. The only factor that predicted a more favorable outcome was a relatively low stage at the time of diagnosis.     

Epidermal growth factor receptor immunohistochemistry in different histological types of infiltrating breast carcinoma.

AIMS--To determine the immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in high grade, intermediate, and low grade tumours. METHODS--Specimens from 931 breast carcinomas were partly formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded, to classify cases, and partly frozen in liquid nitrogen, cryostat sectioned, and immunostained using two monoclonal antibodies from clone 455 and 528 to demonstrate EGF-R positive cells. An avidin-biotin complex and peroxidase method was used after incubation with biotinylated anti-mouse antibody; colour was developed using a diaiminobenzidine solution. RESULTS--Low grade carcinomas seldom expressed EGF-R (n = 3) compared with 106 high grade infiltrating ductal carcinomas: EGF-R positive cases were much less common in infiltrating lobular than in infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Medullary carcinomas did not differ from infiltrating ductal carcinomas. CONCLUSIONS--The very low incidence of EGF-R positive cases in the "special type" group of breast carcinomas with a good prognosis is in line with the absence of the homologous c-erbB-2 and p53 oncoproteins, and the rarity of highly proliferating and oestrogen/progesterone negative cases. EGF-R expression in infiltrating lobular carcinoma was in keeping with the intermediate behaviour of this kind of tumour. EGF-R expression in cases of pure medullary carcinoma is the same as that of high grade tumours.     

c-erbB-2过表达、nm23低表达与结直肠癌预后不良的关系

目的　探讨结直肠癌c erbB 2、CD4 4v6、nm2 3基因蛋白表达与临床病理特征的相关性及意义。方法　用免疫组织化学SP法检测了 92例结直肠癌组织c erbB 2、CD4 4v6、nm2 3蛋白表达 ,并对其中随访 10年以上的 2 8例作了生存分析。结果　c erbB 2和CD4 4v6的表达均与国际抗癌联盟(UICC)分期有关 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而且c erbB 2表达还与显著的瘤周淋巴样细胞浸润有关 (P <0 0 5 )。在随访 10年以上的 2 8例中 ,单因素分析显示 :患者生存率与组织分型、UICC分期、肿瘤生长方式、瘤周淋巴样细胞浸润以及c erbB 2、CD4 4v6、nm2 3表达均有关。但经多因素Cox比例风险分析 ,只有UICC分期、c erbB 2和nm2 3表达具有独立的预后意义。结论　除UICCⅢ、Ⅳ期之外 ,c erbB 2过表达和nm2 3表达减少似乎可作为结直肠癌预后不良的可行性指标     

Correlation between histological grade and c-erbB2 oncoprotein overexpression in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast

One hundred and twelve infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast were studied by the standard avidinbiotin complex immunoperoxidase method on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections, using a monoclonal antibody to c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. The same tumours were assessed and scored according to the Bloom and Richardson criteria into three histological grades. The distribution of tumours according to grade were: 8 Grade I, 34 Grade II and 70 Grade III. Forty-three (38.4%) tumours showed positive membrane staining for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. These comprised 7 Grade II and 36 Grade III tumours with c-erbB-2 immunopositivity rates of 20.6% and 51.4% respectively. The oncoprotein was not expressed by Grade I tumours. This study shows a good correlation between c-erbB-2 expression and histological grade, a known prognostic indicator of invasive breast carcinoma. Because the c-erbB-2 oncogene has extensive structural homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, its overexpression can be expected to result in more aggressive tumour behaviour. While it may be regarded as another indicator of poor prognosis breast cancers, its value in the selection of carcinomas less responsive to hormonal therapy and those more suitable for immunotherapy than chemotherapy has been mooted but remains to be clarified.     

Expression and clinical significance of the erbB family in intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma

The type I family of growth factor receptors is known to play a role in the development of several carcinomas, but its role in hepatic malignancies is not clearly understood. In this study we investigated the expression of this family of EGF-R, c-erbB-2, c-erbB-3 and c-erbB-4 in 38 intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinomas (CCC) by means of immunohistochemistry. EGF-R expression was related to lymph node metastasis, aberrant p53 expression, proliferating activity, and carcinoma differentiation. c-erbB-2 expression was observed in more than 50% of the cases, but was not related to any clinicopathological features, c-erbB-3 expression was linked to lymph node metastasis, and c-erbB-4 expression was directly related to proliferating activity and lymph node metastasis. These results indicate that: 1) EGF-R contributes greatly to CCC progression, and c-erbB-3 and c-erbB-4 have roles similar to but less than that of EGFR, and 2) c-erbB-2 is expressed in CCC in high incidence, but its clinical role in CCC remains unclear.     

p53、c-erbB-2、PCNA和EGFR在膀胱癌中过表达及其意义

目的：研究癌基因和抑癌基因蛋白产物在膀胱移行细胞癌中异常表达与病理分级、临床分期、复发和预后的关系。方法：应用免疫组化Ｓ－Ｐ法检查１１７例膀胱移行细胞癌组织中ｐ５３、ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２、ＰＣＮＡ和ＥＧＦＲ的表达水平。结果：１１７例膀胱移行细胞癌中ｐ５３、ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２、ＰＣＮＡ和ＥＧＦＲ阳性表达率分别为４７．０％、２９．９％、５３．８％和４８．７％。ｐ５３和ＰＣＮＡ阳性表达产物定位于肿瘤细胞核内，ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２阳性表达产物定位于细胞膜上，ＥＧＦＲ阳性表达产物定位于细胞膜或细胞浆内。结果表明ｐ５３、ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２、ＰＣＮＡ和ＥＧＦＲ异常表达与膀胱癌的分级、分期、复发及术后生存率等之间有统计学意义。结论：ｐ５３、ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２、ＰＣＮＡ和ＥＧＦＲ异常表达有助于评估膀胱癌预后，多基因异常表达作为预后评价指标更有意义。     

c－erbB－2原癌基因产物在软骨肉瘤中的增强表达

ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２原癌基因在细胞增殖和分化的调控中起重要作用。用ＡＢＣ酶标法观察４０例软骨肉瘤中ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２原癌基因产物（１９０ＫＤ）的增强表达为９０％（３６／４０），而在良性软骨肿瘤为１１％（１／９），在１０例正常软骨中为阴性。这表明ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２原癌基因产物在软骨肉瘤诊断中具有重要实用价值。ｃ－ｅｒｂＢ－２阳性分级与软骨肉瘤组织病理学分级呈显著性负相关（Ｐ＜０．０５），组织学分级高分化差的软骨肉瘤，阳性级别低，可作为软骨肉瘤的分化性标志。     

Human urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas acquire the functional Fas ligand during tumor progression

The interaction between FasL on tumor cells and Fas on lymphocytes may represent a tumor immune escape mechanism. We explored FasL expression and function in human urinary bladder transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs). FasL expression was observed in situ in 45% of TCCs (n = 45) and was absent in normal urothelium (n = 20). A correlation existed between FasL expression and high tumor grade (0% in G1, 14% in G2, and 75% in G3; P < 0.0001) and stage (13% in superficial Ta-T1 versus 81% in invasive T2-T4; P < 0.0001). FasL function was shown by the ability of two FasL-positive primary culture TCC cell lines (established from two FasL-positive invasive TCCs) to induce Fas-mediated killing not only of conventional Fas-sensitive targets (such as Jurkat cells or phytohemagglutinin-lymphoblasts), but also of autologous T lymphocytes generated in a mixed lymphocyte tumor-cell culture. In addition, an association between FasL expression by TCC cells and activated caspase-8, -9, and -3 expression by interferon-gamma-producing CD8-positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes was observed in situ. Our results show a functional expression of TCC-expressed FasL that correlates with tumor progression. These results suggest that TCC-expressed FasL may induce apoptosis of anti-tumor T lymphocytes in vivo, providing new insights on the mechanisms involved in bladder TCC progression.     

Value of thrombomodulin immunostaining in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma: a comparative study with carcinoembryonic antigen

Aims: Thrombomodulin (TM) is a surface glycoprotein involved in the regulation of intravascular coagulation that has been reported to be expressed in a variety of tumours. We investigated TM expression in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and compared the value of TM immunostaining with that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for differentiating TCC from other tumours with which it may be confused.  

Methods and results:

Immunostaining was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections using the avidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method. TM immunoreactivity was observed in 80 of 91 primary (51/58 urinary bladder, 10/12 renal pelvis, 3/3 ureter, 15/15 prostate, 1/3 ovary), and 18 of 20 metastatic TCCs expressed this marker. Only 37 of the 91 primary (23/58 urinary bladder, 4/12 renal pelvis, 1/3 ureter, 9/15 prostate, 0/3 ovary) and six of the 20 metastatic TCCs reacted for CEA. In order to evaluate the practical utility of TM immunostaining in surgical pathology, 30 adenocarcinomas of the prostate, 18 of the bladder, 12 of the colon, and 22 renal cell carcinomas were also stained for these markers. CEA reactivity was obtained in 12 of 30 adenocarcinomas of the prostate, 12 of 18 of the bladder, and 12 of 12 of the colon, but in none of the 22 renal cell carcinomas. Only three of the 18 adenocarcinomas of the bladder showed focal TM reactivity, but no staining for this marker was observed in any of the other types of tumours.  

Conclusions:

TM is a more sensitive marker than CEA for TCC and, because it has a more restricted reactivity with other tumours, TM has more practical value in separating TCCs from adenocarcinomas of the prostate, colon and bladder, and renal cell carcinomas than CEA.     

膀胱癌中p53、c—myc和bcl—2的表达及意义

目的：研究癌基因和抗癌基因蛋白产物在膀胱移行细胞癌组织中异常表达与病理分级,临床分期间关系。方法：应用免疫组化S－P法检测96例膀胱移行细胞癌中p53,c-myc和bcl-2的表达水平。结果：96例膀胱移行细胞癌中p53,c-myc和bcl-2的阳性表达率分别为60．4％,68．8％和81．3％,结果表明,p53,c-myc和bcl-2异常表达与膀胱移行细胞癌的分级和分期间差异有统计学意义。结论：p53,c-myc和bcl-2表达在膀胱癌的发生发展中起重要作用。在膀胱癌变过程中,有多种癌基因的变化。     

Expression of MUC5AC apomucin in transitional cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder and its possible role in the development of mucus-secreting adenocarcinomas

The histogenesis of primary nonurachal mucus-producing adenocarcinomas of the urinary bladder including signet ring cell carcinomas remains to be elucidated, since the normal bladder contains neither columnar nor mucus-secreting glandular epithelium. Based upon the assumption that adenocarcinomas may develop secondarily from pre-existent transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) by a metaplastic process, it was the purpose of the current immunohistochemical study to analyze whether urothelial carcinomas are capable of secreting MUC5AC apomucin, using the monoclonal antibody 45MI. This antibody has been initially demonstrated to strongly react with the mucus-producing columnar cells of the surface gastric epithelium, recognizing a specific epitope located on the peptide core of glycoproteins as major components of mucins. Nine of 64 uniformly differentiated papillary (14.1%) and 5 of 66 nonpapillary (solid) TCC with a uniform urothelial differentiation (7.6%) expressed the MUC5AC antigen, yielding an overall incidence of 10.8%. Transitional cell carcinomas with a focally altered cellular and structural differentiation (squamous cell, pseudoglandular, true glandular and mixed differentiation) stained positively in a substantially higher percentage of 43.8% (21 of 48 cases). A positive immunoreactivity was also observed in 3 of 19 mixed transitional cell and nonurothelial carcinomas. The tumor-associated resurgence of normally cryptic MUC5AC antigenic determinants in transitional cell carcinomas is considered as a re-expression of oncofetal antigenicity, probably as a result of the embryologic origin of the urinary bladder from the pluripotent tissues of the cloacal endoderm and the mesodermal wolffian ducts. Our findings may help to better understand the histogenetic development of mucus-secreting vesical adenocarcinomas from pre-existent urothelial carcinomas.     

In vitro and in vivo expressions of transforming growth factor-alpha and tyrosine kinase receptors in human non-small-cell lung carcinomas.

The mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-erbB-2 and c-met proto-oncogenes in eight newly established cell lines and 29 primary tumors of human non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) have been investigated. In vitro, the expressions of TGF-alpha, c-erbB-2, and c-met were consistently high in adenocarcinomas, while EGFR was expressed highest in a squamous cell carcinoma cell line. There was linear correlation between the levels of expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR or c-erbB-2, and between EGFR and c-erbB-2. The c-met expression was also correlated with those of TGF-alpha, EGFR, and c-erbB-2. In vivo, The mean mRNA levels of TGF-alpha, EGFR, and c-met, but not c-erbB-2, were higher in carcinomas than in normal lung tissues (2.8, 1.7, and 3.0 times, respectively); however, only adenocarcinomas expressed a significantly higher level of c-erbB-2 than their corresponding normal tissues (2.2 times). In 20 patients whose paired normal and tumor tissue were examined, the percentage of cases with greater than twofold increase in expression in carcinomas than normal were 55% for both TGF-alpha and EGFR, 30% for c-erbB-2, and 47% for c-met. Among the histological subtypes of NSCLC, a higher percentage of adenocarcinomas than squamous cell carcinomas over-expressed these genes, especially c-erbB-2 and c-met. Over-expression is rarely the result of gene amplification. The results suggest a differential expression of growth factor and receptor genes among the various histological subtypes of NSCLCs.     

Brenner Tumor of the Ovary: A Comparative Immunohistochemical and Ultrastructural Study With Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Because of a fancied light microscopic resemblance to transitional epithelium (urothelium), Brenner tumor (BT) of the ovary is commonly described as a transitional cell neoplasm. An inability to detect a great deal of similarity between the two at the ultrastructural level prompted this electron microscopic study comparing 3 benign Brenner tumors with normal urothelium and 6 transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of varying histologic grade from the urinary bladder. To complement the ultrastructural observations, the immunophenotype of 8 benign BTs was evaluated together with that of 12 TCCs of the bladder using antibodies to thrombomodulin (TM), cytokeratin 20, cytokeratin 7, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), all of which havebeen shown to react with TCCs of urothelial origin. At the ultrastructural level, there was only limited evidence of a morphologic likeness between the epithelial cells of BTs and those of the benign or neoplastic urothelium. The immunophenotype of the two tumors also differed significantly in that there was no reactivity for TM or cytokeratin 20 in the BTs, while these markers were expressed in the TCCs. Both BTs and TCCs were positive for cytokeratin 7 and may express CEA.     

Brenner tumor of the ovary: a comparative immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Because of a fancied light microscopic resemblance to transitional epithelium (urothelium), Brenner tumor (BT) of the ovary is commonly described as a transitional cell neoplasm. An inability to detect a great deal of similarity between the two at the ultrastructural level prompted this electron microscopic study comparing 3 benign Brenner tumors with normal urothelium and 6 transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) of varying histologic grade from the urinary bladder. To complement the ultrastructural observations, the immunophenotype of 8 benign BTs was evaluated together with that of 12 TCCs of the bladder using antibodies to thrombomodulin (TM), cytokeratin 20, cytokeratin 7, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), all of which havebeen shown to react with TCCs of urothelial origin. At the ultrastructural level, there was only limited evidence of a morphologic likeness between the epithelial cells of BTs and those of the benign or neoplastic urothelium. The immunophenotype of the two tumors also differed significantly in that there was no reactivity for TM or cytokeratin 20 in the BTs, while these markers were expressed in the TCCs. Both BTs and TCCs were positive for cytokeratin 7 and may express CEA.     

Urinary cytology for carcinoma of the urinary bladder]

Cytologic examinations of voided urine were reviewed for 82 cases of invasive or noninvasive papillary carcinoma and 25 cases of carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder. Five of the 82 cases of invasive or noninvasive papillary carcinoma and 3 of the 25 cases of carcinoma in situ were asymptomatic, and malignancy was detected only by urinary cytology. Urinary cytology was positive in 18.5% of the Grade 1, 33.3% of the Grade 2, 75% of the Grade 3 noninvasive carcinomas and in 77.8% of the invasive carcinomas. However, all 25 cases of carcinoma in situ gave positive cytologic results. Malignant cells found in Grade 1 noninvasive papillary carcinoma were slightly atypic in shape. Their nuclei were small but showed mild to moderate hyperchromasia. These malignant cells appeared in small clusters but the number of clusters were few. In Grade 2 or 3 noninvasive papillary carcinoma, malignant cells appeared in small clusters or isolated single cells. Their nuclei were irregular in shape and showed moderate to marked hyperchromasia. In invasive carcinoma and carcinoma in situ, many malignant cells with marked atypia were observed, but in carcinoma in situ, the background of the specimens was clean.     

Low, intermediate and high grade breast carcinomas as determined by histotyping, immunohistochemical prognosticators and histological grading.

Low grade breast cancers i.e. mucinous (17 cases--3.2%), tubular (7 cases--1.3%) and invasive cribriform carcinomas (3 cases--0.5%) have been identified within a series of 524 breast cancers only by histotyping in hematoxylin-eosin stained sections: the reactivities of immunohistochemical prognosticators as estrogen/progesterone receptors (ER, PgR), growth fraction (GF: Ki67), p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins are in agreement with clinical behaviours. Invasive papillary carcinomas (9 cases--1.6%) are not to be considered low grade carcinomas. Intermediate grade cancers are also determined by histotyping. Medullary carcinoma (13 cases--3.4%) has a paradoxical behaviour displaying a favourable clinical prognosis together with high grading and GF, absence of ER, PgR, high p53 and c-erbB-2 values, as compared with invasive ductal carcinomas: an extensive tissue immune response as suggested by a heavy lymphocyte infiltration may explain this behaviour. Invasive lobular carcinoma (62--11.6%) shows an intermediate immunohistochemical pattern, paralleling an intermediate prognosis, when compared with low and high grade carcinomas: ER, PgR and GF positivities are nearly the same as in ductal carcinomas whereas grading, p53 and c-erbB-2 are less expressed. These data are confirmed both for lobular carcinomas as a whole and for all variants of this kind of tumors. Invasive ductal carcinomas (413 cases--79%) may be stratified on three prognostic classes corresponding to histological grading (G1, G2, G3). Significant relationships of grading with all the immunohistochemical prognosticators studied has been observed. It may be concluded that grading is a parameter of paramount importance in this group of tumors.