Metaplastic breast carcinomas are basal-like tumours

AIMS: Recently, an immunohistochemical panel comprising antibodies against HER2, oestrogen receptor (ER), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 was reported to identify basal-like breast carcinomas, as defined by cDNA microarrays. Our aim was to analyse a series of metaplastic breast carcinomas (MBCs) using this panel plus two other basal markers (CK14 and p63) and progesterone receptor (PR), to define how frequently MBCs show a basal-like immunophenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-five cases were retrieved from the pathology archives of the authors' institutions and reviewed by three of the authors. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies for HER2, ER, EGFR, CK5/6, CK14 and p63 was performed according to standard methods. All but six cases (91%) showed the typical immunoprofile of basal-like tumours (ER- and HER2-, EGFR+ and/or CK5/6+). When CK14 and p63 were added to the panel, two additional cases could be classified as basal-like. The majority of MBCs lacked PR, except 4/19 (21%) carcinomas with squamous metaplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that MBCs show a basal-like phenotype, regardless of the type of metaplastic elements. Moreover, as these neoplasms frequently overexpress EGFR (57%), patients with MBC may benefit from treatment with anti-EGFR drugs.     

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast with unusual basal-HER2 phenotype

Objectives: To report three cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the breast with an unusual “basal-HER2” phenotype. Methods: Clinical data were analyzed. Morphological features were observed. Immunohistochemical study for ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, CK 5/6, CK10/13, CK14, EGFR, P63 and FISH detection of HER2 gene amplification were performed. Results: Three patients were all female with 26, 57 and 66 years old. The tumors were 3 cm, 4 cm and 5 cm in size respectively. Morphologically, all three tumors were pure squamous cell carcinoma and entirely composed metaplastic squamous cells. Two tumors were moderately differentiated and one was poorly differentiated. All three patients were positive for P63 or CK10/13. All three tumors exhibited basal-HER2 phenotype: negative for ER and PR, positive for HER2 protein and HER2 gene amplification, and positive for at least two basal markers. Conclusions: SCC with basal-HER2 phenotype is an extremely rare subset of breast carcinoma. Since it may have worse prognosis than typical basal-like SCC, recognization of this unusual SCC in routine work may have obvious clinical significance.     

基底细胞样型浸润性乳腺癌病理形态观察

目的 观察基底细胞样型浸润性乳腺癌的形态特点,为该类型癌的诊断提供依据.方法 收集109例乳腺浸润性导管癌存档蜡块,用单克隆抗体CK56、CK14、CK818、CK34βE12、calponin、p63、CD10、ER、PR和c-erbB-2进行免疫组织化学Max VisionTM法染色,按照免疫表型将本组分为5种类型:腺腔A型(ER+HER2-),腺腔B型(ER+HER2+),正常乳腺样型(ER-HER2-),HER2过表达型和基底细胞样型(至少表达一种基底细胞角蛋白和(或)肌上皮标记物,且ER-HER2-).重点观察基底细胞样型的组织形态表现.结果 腺腔A型48例(44.0%),腺腔B型15例(13.8%),HER2过表达型15例(13.8%),正常乳腺型10例(9.2%),基底细胞样型19例(17.4%).2例除肌上皮标记物外,还同时表达c-erbB-2和(或)ER,组织类型暂未定.在19例基底细胞样型中有16例表达CK56,17例表达CK818,11例表达CK14,18例表达CK34βE12,5例表达p63,6例表达CD10,1例表达calponin.肿瘤直径1.2～7.0 cm(平均3.9 cm);其中＞5 cm者6例.除1例病变以高级别导管内癌为主外,组织学分级为2级者9例,3级者9例,与非基底细胞样型相比3级者显著增多(P＜0.01).基底细胞样型主要组织形态表现包括:13例癌组织呈单纯推挤性(膨胀性)生长,各例边缘均可见到淋巴细胞,18例肿瘤以巢状和(或)片状排列为主,17例核分级为3级,并可见到散在巨核和(或)怪核细胞,7例呈合体细胞样生长,17例有粉刺样坏死,上述形态出现率与非基底细胞样癌比较均显著增多(P＜0.01).结论 基底细胞样型浸润性乳腺癌最有诊断性价值的形态特点是推挤性浸润边缘、周边有显著的淋巴组织、粉刺样坏死、散在巨怪细胞、大巢或片状组织结构和呈合体细胞样生长.     

乳腺浸润性导管癌分子亚型与临床病理特征及预后的关系

目的 检测乳腺浸润性导管癌的临床病理特征及特定蛋白的表达情况,对其进行分型,探讨各哑型与预后的关系.方法 采用免疫组织化学EnVision法检测128例浸润性导管癌ER、PR、HER2和CK5/6的表达,参考文献报道的免疫分型方法 对其分型,并对HER2过表达型9例进行FISH检测.结果 ER、PR、HER2和CKS/6在本组128例浸润性导管癌中的阳性表达率分别为67%(86/128)、45%(58/128)、27%(34/128)和27%(34/128),并将128例分为5种免疫哑型,管腔A型55%(70/128),管腔B型20%(25/128),HER2过表达型7%(9/128),基底细胞样型10%(13/128),无法分类型8%(11/128).FISH检测HER2过表达型9例均为HER2基因扩增.各分子亚型间预后差异具有统计学意义,管腔A型预后最好,基底细胞型预后较差.多因素分析,乳腺癌临床分期和免疫分型是独立的预后因素.月经状态在乳腺癌各免疫亚型中的分布差异有统计学意义.结论 通过检测ER、PR、HER2和CK5/6的表达可以将乳腺浸润性导管癌分成具有不同生物学行为的5个免疫亚型,对于评估预后,指导治疗具有一定的意义.     

乳腺浸润性导管癌分子亚型与临床病理特征及预后的关系

目的 检测乳腺浸润性导管癌的临床病理特征及特定蛋白的表达情况,对其进行分型,探讨各哑型与预后的关系.方法 采用免疫组织化学EnVision法检测128例浸润性导管癌ER、PR、HER2和CK5/6的表达,参考文献报道的免疫分型方法 对其分型,并对HER2过表达型9例进行FISH检测.结果 ER、PR、HER2和CKS/6在本组128例浸润性导管癌中的阳性表达率分别为67%(86/128)、45%(58/128)、27%(34/128)和27%(34/128),并将128例分为5种免疫哑型,管腔A型55%(70/128),管腔B型20%(25/128),HER2过表达型7%(9/128),基底细胞样型10%(13/128),无法分类型8%(11/128).FISH检测HER2过表达型9例均为HER2基因扩增.各分子亚型间预后差异具有统计学意义,管腔A型预后最好,基底细胞型预后较差.多因素分析,乳腺癌临床分期和免疫分型是独立的预后因素.月经状态在乳腺癌各免疫亚型中的分布差异有统计学意义.结论 通过检测ER、PR、HER2和CK5/6的表达可以将乳腺浸润性导管癌分成具有不同生物学行为的5个免疫亚型,对于评估预后,指导治疗具有一定的意义.     

乳腺浸润性导管癌分子亚型与临床病理特征及预后的关系

目的 检测乳腺浸润性导管癌的临床病理特征及特定蛋白的表达情况,对其进行分型,探讨各哑型与预后的关系.方法 采用免疫组织化学EnVision法检测128例浸润性导管癌ER、PR、HER2和CK5/6的表达,参考文献报道的免疫分型方法 对其分型,并对HER2过表达型9例进行FISH检测.结果 ER、PR、HER2和CKS/6在本组128例浸润性导管癌中的阳性表达率分别为67%(86/128)、45%(58/128)、27%(34/128)和27%(34/128),并将128例分为5种免疫哑型,管腔A型55%(70/128),管腔B型20%(25/128),HER2过表达型7%(9/128),基底细胞样型10%(13/128),无法分类型8%(11/128).FISH检测HER2过表达型9例均为HER2基因扩增.各分子亚型间预后差异具有统计学意义,管腔A型预后最好,基底细胞型预后较差.多因素分析,乳腺癌临床分期和免疫分型是独立的预后因素.月经状态在乳腺癌各免疫亚型中的分布差异有统计学意义.结论 通过检测ER、PR、HER2和CK5/6的表达可以将乳腺浸润性导管癌分成具有不同生物学行为的5个免疫亚型,对于评估预后,指导治疗具有一定的意义.     

浸润性乳腺癌术前FNA近似分子分型的临床意义

目的探讨浸润性乳腺癌术前细针吸取细胞学(fine needle aspiration,FNA)近似分子分型的可行性及临床意义。方法对42例女性原发性乳腺癌患者术前行细针穿刺术,涂片后进行细胞学诊断。利用免疫细胞化学技术检测ER、PR、HER2、CK5/6和EGFR表达情况,将乳腺癌近似分为腺腔A型(Luminal A)、腺腔B型(Luminal B)、纯HER2过表达型(pure HER2-overexpressing)、基底样型(basal-like)、HER2过表达基底样型(basal-HER2)及正常乳腺型(null)6个分子亚型。将其与术后对应标本的病理学及免疫组化结果进行比较。结果术前穿刺涂片诊断为"高度可疑乳腺癌"及"乳腺癌"的42例女性患者,经术后病理组织学证实均为浸润性乳腺癌,细胞学诊断准确率为100%。在42例乳腺癌细针吸取细胞涂片上利用免疫细胞化学进行术前各分子标记的检测,其中ER/PR阳性率为52.38%(22/42),HER2阳性率为42.86%(18/42),EGFR/CK5/6阳性率为19.04%(8/42)。相对应的石蜡切片经免疫组化检测,ER/PR阳性率分别为52.38%(22/42),HER2阳性率为40.48%(17/42),EGFR/CK5/6阳性率为23.81%(10/42)。其中,1例细胞涂片HER-2为阳性,而对应的石蜡切片为阴性;2例石蜡切片EGFR为阳性,而对应的细胞涂片为阴性,两种方法差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论 FNA是术前诊断乳腺癌准确、易行的方法之一。浸润性乳腺癌术前FNA近似分子分型简单明了,切实可行。其有助于术前掌握乳腺癌的生物学特征,可能成为指导术前新辅助化疗、术式选择的有用指标。     

P-cadherin and cytokeratin 5: useful adjunct markers to distinguish basal-like ductal carcinomas in situ

Gene expression profiles of invasive breast carcinomas have identified a subgroup of tumours with worse prognosis, which have been called "basal-like". These are characterized by a specific pattern of expression, being estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 negative, and frequently expressing at least one basal marker such as basal cytokeratins or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Previously, our group characterized basal-like tumours in a series of invasive breast carcinomas using P-cadherin (P-CD), p63 and cytokeratin 5 (CK5). Based on that study, we hypothesized that those high-grade basal-like invasive carcinomas might have a pre-invasive counterpart, which could be identified using the same approach. A series of 79 ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS) were classified into distinct subgroups according to their ER, HER2 and basal markers expression. Luminal DCIS expressed ER and constituted 64.6% of the series; the HER2 overexpressing tumours did not express ER and represented 25.3% of the cases, whereas 10.1% lack the expression of ER and HER2 and expressed at least one basal marker (P-CD, CK5, CK14, p63, vimentin and/or EGFR). These basal-like DCIS were mostly high-grade, with comedo-type necrosis, and consistently showed expression of P-CD and CK5. In conclusion, DCIS with a basal-like phenotype represent a small percentage in our series, being P-CD and CK5, the most useful adjunct markers to distinguish this subset of carcinomas in situ of the breast.     

Identification of a basal-like subtype of breast ductal carcinoma in situ

Microarray profiling of invasive breast carcinomas has identified subtypes including luminal A, luminal B, HER2-overexpressing, and basal-like. The poor-prognosis, basal-like tumors have been immunohistochemically characterized as estrogen receptor (ER)-negative, HER2/neu-negative, and cytokeratin 5/6-positive and/or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-positive. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of basal-like ductal carcinoma in situ in a population-based series of cases using immunohistochemical surrogates. A total of 245 pure ductal carcinoma in situ cases from a population-based, case-control study were evaluated for histologic characteristics and immunostained for ER, HER2/neu, EGFR, cytokeratin 5/6, p53, and Ki-67. The subtypes were defined as: luminal A (ER+, HER2-), luminal B (ER+, HER2+), HER2 positive (ER-, HER2+), and basal-like (ER-, HER2-, EGFR+, and/or cytokeratin 5/6+). The prevalence of breast cancer subtypes was basal-like (n = 19 [8%]); luminal A, n = 149 (61%); luminal B, n = 23 (9%); and HER2+/ER-, n = 38 (16%). Sixteen tumors (6%) were unclassified (negative for all 4 defining markers). The basal-like subtype was associated with unfavorable prognostic variables including high-grade nuclei (P < .0001), p53 overexpression (P < .0001), and elevated Ki-67 index (P < .0001). These studies demonstrate the presence of a basal-like in situ carcinoma, a potential precursor lesion to invasive basal-like carcinoma.     

CD109 expression in basal-like breast carcinoma

Breast cancer can be classified into several subtypes based on gene expression profiling. Basal-like breast carcinoma (BLC) has a triple negative phenotype, that is, the subtype lacks the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). It has been recently reported that CD109, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein, is a new breast myoepithelial marker. In the present study CD109 expression was investigated in invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) of the breast on immunohistochemistry. Eighty-eight formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded breast carcinoma sections were immunostained with anti-CD109, anti-cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), anti-calponin, anti-vimentin and anti-p63 antibodies. CD109 expression was detected in 18 of 30 basal-like breast carcinomas (BLC) but not in other types of 53 IDC (non-BLC) that were positive for ER, PgR and/or HER2. The percentage of CD109-positive tissues (60%) in BLC was similar to that of CK5/6 (63%) and higher than that of other myoepithelial markers including p63 (23%), calponin (33%) and vimentin (33%). Statistical analysis indicated that the CD109-positive group in BLC, but not the CK5/6-positive group in BLC, was associated with reduced fat invasion ( P  < 0.05). These findings indicate that CD109 is a useful diagnostic marker for BLC and that CD109 expression may affect biological properties of cancer cells.     

Identification of different subtypes of breast cancer using tissue microarray

Breast cancer may be classified into luminal A, luminal B, HER2+/ER-, basal-like and normal-like subtypes based on gene expression profiling or immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics. The main aim of the present study was to classify breast cancer into molecular subtypes based on immunohistochemistry findings and correlate the subtypes with clinicopathological factors. Two hundred and seventeen primary breast carcinomas tumor tissues were immunostained for ER, PR, HER2, CK5/6, EGFR, CK8/18, p53 and Ki67 using tissue microarray technique. All subtypes were significantly associated with Malay ethnic background (p=0.035) compared to other racial origins. The most common subtypes of breast cancers were luminal A and was significantly associated with low histological grade (p<0.000) and p53 negativity (p=0.003) compared to HER2+/ER-, basal-like and normal-like subtypes with high histological grade (p<0.000) and p53 positivity (p=0.003). Luminal B subtype had the smallest mean tumor size (p=0.009) and also the highest mean number of lymph nodes positive (p=0.032) compared to other subtypes. All markers except EGFR and Ki67 were significantly associated with the subtypes. The most common histological type was infiltrating ductal carcinoma, NOS. Majority of basal-like subtype showed comedo-type necrosis (68.8%) and infiltrative margin (81.3%). Our studies suggest that IHC can be used to identify the different subtypes of breast cancer and all subtypes were significantly associated with race, mean tumor size, mean number of lymph node positive, histological grade and all immunohistochemical markers except EGFR and Ki67.     

p63, cytokeratin 5, and P-cadherin: three molecular markers to distinguish basal phenotype in breast carcinomas

Human breast carcinomas represent a heterogeneous group of tumors diverse in behavior, outcome, and response to therapy. However, the current system of pathological classification does not take into account biologic determinants of prognosis. The purpose of this study was to classify and characterize breast carcinomas based on variations in protein expression patterns derived from immunohistochemical analyses on tissue microarrays (TMAs). Therefore, 11 TMAs representing 168 invasive breast carcinomas were constructed. Breast tumors were classified into four different subtypes depending on estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2 expression. Basal-type tumors expressed neither of these proteins and represented 7.6% of our series; basal-like HER2-overexpressing tumors did not express ER and represented 17.7%; luminal-type tumors expressed ER and represented 72.8% of this series (luminal A 56.3%, luminal B 16.5%). Moreover, we characterized each subtype based on P-cadherin (P-CD), p63, cytokeratin (CK)5, BCL2, and Ki67 expression. Basal-type tumors were mostly grade III, more frequently P-CD-, p63-, and CK5-positive, and had a high proliferation rate. Conversely, luminal-type tumors rarely expressed basal markers and had a low grade and proliferation rate. Basal-like HER2-overexpressing tumors showed a basal-type profile similar with a high grade and up-regulation of P-CD and CK5. With this study, we show that P-CD, p63, and CK5 are important molecular markers that can be used to distinguish a basal phenotype. In addition, we also demonstrate the usefulness of TMAs in breast carcinoma immunoprofiling.     

起源于乳腺微腺体腺病的浸润性癌3例临床病理学观察

目的 探讨乳腺起源于微腺体腺病的浸润性癌(MGACA)的临床病理学特征、免疫表型、诊断和鉴别诊断.方法 收集3例MGACA患者的临床和病理资料,对标本进行病理形态学观察,免疫组织化学(EnVision)染色[CK7、S-100蛋白、雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)、HER2、平滑肌肌动蛋白(SMA)、肌特异性肌动蛋白(MSA)、p63]和PAS特殊染色,并复习文献.结果 (1)形态学:3例MGACA标本均观察到不同阶段形态的连续发展过程:从微腺体腺病到不典型微腺体腺病,到导管原位癌,到浸润性癌.例1的浸润性癌成分为浸润性导管癌,例2和例3的浸润性癌成分部分区域为浸润性导管癌,部分区域为产生基质的癌.(2)免疫组织化学和特殊染色:3例MGACA中不同病变区域的所有上皮细胞均呈现CK7和S-100蛋白阳性,ER和HER2阴性.例1和例2 PR阴性,例3 PR弱阳性.SMA、MSA和p63染色显示所有病变区域腺体周围均无肌上皮围绕.PAS染色显示在微腺体腺病、不典型微腺体腺病和导管原位癌区域腺体周围有完整的基底膜围绕,而在浸润性癌区域上皮周围基底膜消失.结论 MGACA是一类少见的乳腺肿瘤,具有独特的形态学和免疫表型特征,其生物学行为有待进一步研究.

Abstract：

Objective To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotypes and differential diagnoses of invasive carcinoma arising in breast microglandular adenosis (MGACA). Methods Clinical and pathologic findings of 3 cases of MGACA were analyzed by histomorphology and immunohistochemical staining of CK7, S-100 protein, ER, PR, HER2, SMA, MSA, p63 and PAS. Literatures were reviewed. Results (1) Histologically, 3 tumors all showed a spectrum of glandular proliferations ranging from microglandular adenosis (MGA) to atypical microglandular adenosis (AMGA) to in situ carcinoma (DCIS) to invasive carcinoma. The invasive carcinoma component was ductal in case 1, and matrix-producing in case 2 and case 3. (2) All epithelial cells in MGA, AMGA, DCIS and MGACA were positive for CK7 and S-100 protein, but were negative for ER and HER2. PR was negative in case 1 and case 2 but was low positive in case 3. Myoepithelial cell differentiation was not demonstrated in MGA, AMGA, DCIS and MGACA by immunohistochemical staining for SMA, MSA or p63. PAS staining showed the presence of basement membrane in MGA, AMGA and DCIS, except MGACA. Conclusions MGACA is an extremely rare tumor of the breast and has distinct morphological and immunohistochemical features. Further studies are needed to evaluate the clinical behavior of this rare neoplasm.     

The significance of combined CK5/6 and p63 immunohistochemistry in predicting the risks of subsequent carcinoma development in intraductal papilloma of the breast

Prediction of subsequent risks of breast carcinoma (BC) development in intraductal papilloma (IDP) has remained controversial with the exception of atypical papilloma (AP). The potential value of immunohistochemistry (IHC) of cytokeratin 5/6 [CK5/6] and p63 have been proposed but its standardization has also remained controversial. We studied 17 patients initially diagnosed as IDP or AP who subsequently developed BC with 34 age‐matched controls. We compared histological features, results of IHC (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2], p63, CK5/6, Ki67), and ultrasound findings. Univariate conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that the status of both CK5/6 and p63/CK5/6 were significantly associated with subsequent BC development (P < 0.05). BC development in CK5/6 positive patients was 17.9% and p63/CK5/6 double positive patients 8.6%, respectively. Ultrasound evaluation was not significantly associated with any of the parameters examined and subsequent carcinoma development. Despite CK5/6 positivity, the subsequent incidence of BC development was nearly 20%. However p63/CK5/6 double positive status could predict a significantly lower subsequent carcinoma incidence, indicating a more accurate prognostic utility. Combining p63/CK5/6 with histological findings could be easily applied and could predict the subsequent BC development of the patients diagnosed as IDP at biopsy.     

Coordinated expression of ER, PR and HER2 define different prognostic subtypes among poorly differentiated breast carcinomas

Aims:  Histological grade is one of the most important prognostic factors in breast carcinomas, but poorly differentiated neoplasms still have quite heterogeneous biological behaviour, since they can be genetically classified as basal-like, HER2+ or even luminal. The aim was to analyse the frequency of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2 expression profiles among breast carcinomas with <10% tubular formation, and their correlation with classic prognostic factors.
Methods and results:  One hundred and thirty-four samples of paraffin-embedded tumours were studied retrospectively. The tumours were classified in to four groups by their ER/PR/HER2 profile: (i) ER+ and/or PR+ but HER2−; (ii) ER+ and/or PR+ and HER2+; (iii) ER− and/or PR− but HER2+; and (iv) ER−, PR− and HER2− (triple-negative). The histological features of triple-negative and HER2+ carcinomas overlap. The only difference was the expression of basal cytokeratins (basal CK), which was more frequent among triple-negative carcinomas. Basal-CK expression defined a more aggressive group of tumours, according to the pathological features, regardless of the immunohistochemical profile.
Conclusions:  Group 1 and 2 tumours (ER+ and/or PR+ tumours with or without HER2 expression) were not statistically different, suggesting that poorly differentiated carcinomas with hormone receptors correspond to the luminal B type of tumour. Among poorly differentiated breast carcinomas, the classic profile associated with basal-CK identifies distinct subtypes equivalent to those seen by genetic classification.     

Spindle cell carcinoma progressed from transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

The author reports a very rare case of spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) of the urinary bladder progressed from ordinary papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). A 63-year-old man complained of hematuria. A transurethral endoscopic examination revealed a papillary tumor, and transuthetral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) was performed and was diagnosed as ordinary papillary urothelial TCC. Since then, he was treated with TUR-BT eight times. Chemotherapy, radiation, radical cystectomy and lymph nodes dissection were performed 16 years after the first TUR-BT. However, he developed rectal mucosal metastasis. He is now alive 17 years after the first presentation. All the TUR-BT specimens were ordinary papillary TCCs without invasion (pTa). Immunohistochemically, the TUR-BT specimens were positive for pancytokeratin, high molecular weight cytokeratin (CK), CK 5/6, CK 7, CK 18, CK 19, CK 20, p53, p63, Ki-67 (10%), and negative for other antigens examined including vimentin. The cystectomy bladder specimens show broad ulcers and polypoid lesions, and malignant spindle cells (SpCC) invading into muscular layer were present. No TCC elements were recognized. The tumor cells were positive strongly for vimentin, and less strongly for pancytokeratin, high molecular weight cytokeratin, CK 5/6, CK 14, CK 18, p53, p63 and Ki-67 (95%), and negative for other antigens examined. The rectal metastatic lesion showed SpCC without TCC elements, and were strongly positive for vimentin, and weakly positive for pancytokeratin, S100 protein, p53, p63, Ki-67 (90%), neuron-specific enolase, CD56, KIT and PDGFRA. It was negative for other antigen examined. It is strongly suggested that the present SpCC were progressed from ordinary TCC.     

乳腺神经内分泌癌的病理形态和亚型

目的 探讨乳腺神经内分泌癌(NEC)的病理形态学和亚型。方法 收集22例乳腺NEC,进行组织形态学观察和免疫组织化学（MaxVision法）染色,抗体包括：突触素、嗜铬粒素A(CgA)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、CD56、雌激素受体(ER)、孕激素受体(PR)、HER2、表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)、CK5/6、CK14、p63、E-cadherin、p120、p53和Ki-67。对HER2蛋白表达2+的病例行HER2荧光原位杂交检测。乳腺NEC的判断标准：50％以上的肿瘤至少表达1种神经内分泌标志物,同时其他器官没有发现NEC。结果 除1例男性外余均为女性,年龄在31 ～96岁（平均65.2岁）。病变发生在左乳15例(68.2％),右乳7例(31.8％)。肿瘤大小0.5～5.5 cm(平均2.7 cm)。6例有腋窝淋巴结转移。组织学类型包括：实性黏附型9例、黏液型6例、实性乳头状型3例、小细胞型2例、大细胞型1例、腺泡型1例。各种标志物的免疫组织化学染色阳性比例：突触素为100％( 22/22)、NSE为12/13、CgA为54.5％ (12/22)、CD56为5/16、ER为90.5％ (19/21)、PR为81.0％( 17/21),无一例HER2蛋白过表达(3+),EGFR、CK5/6、CK14和p63均为阴性。所有E-cadherin和（或）p120标记的病例均显示细胞膜阳性(19/19)。p53阳性比例为6/17。Ki-67阳性指数＜3％者占9.5％(2/21),3％～20％者占66.7％(14/21),＞20％者占23.8％ (5/21)。2例HER2蛋白表达2+者,荧光原位杂交检测结果均无基因扩增。免疫分子分型绝大多数为腺腔A型,无HER2过表达型和基底细胞样型。结论 乳腺NEC好发于老年人,发生在左侧乳腺者多于右侧,最常见的亚型是实性黏附型,其次为黏液型,免疫表型归属于浸润性导管癌的特殊类型。     

Increased alpha-B-crystallin expression in mammary metaplastic carcinomas

Chan S‐K, Lui P C W, Tan P‐H, Yamaguchi R, Moriya T, Yu A M C, Shao M‐M, Hliang T, Wong S‐I & Tse G M
(2011) Histopathology 59 , 247–255 Increased alpha‐B‐crystallin expression in mammary metaplastic carcinomas Aims: Mammary metaplastic carcinoma is a rare breast carcinoma, and may present diagnostic difficulty. Alpha‐B‐crystallin has been recently reported to be expressed in basal‐like and metaplastic carcinomas. Methods and results: Thirty‐three metaplastic carcinomas, 44 conventional high‐grade carcinomas and 28 mesenchymal spindle cell neoplasms as controls were assessed for their expression of αB‐crystallin and conventional basal‐like phenotypic markers CK5/6, CK14, p63, c‐kit and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by immunohistochemistry. Alpha‐B‐crystallin staining was positive in 68% of the metaplastic carcinomas with cytoplasmic staining in all tumour cell components. CK5/6, CK14, p63, c‐kit and EGFR stained 43%, 68%, 45%, 21% and 25% of the metaplastic carcinomas, respectively. Combining these markers, 84% of the metaplastic carcinomas expressed either αB‐crystallin or CK14. In comparison, only 14% (six cases) of conventional high‐grade carcinoma and 7% (two cases) of mesenchymal spindle cell neoplasm expressed αB‐crystallin; all but one of these carcinomas were ER/PR/HER2 triple‐negative. Conclusions: Using αB‐crystallin for diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma gives a 68% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 74% positive predictive value, 85% negative predictive value and 78% accuracy. The sensitivity is enhanced to 84% with combinations of αB‐crystallin/CK14. Alpha‐B‐crystallin may be used as an adjunct marker in the diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma.     

CD10 and HHF35 actin in the differential diagnosis between Collagenous spherulosis and adenoid-cystic carcinoma of the breast

Collagenous Spherulosis (CS) and Adenoid-Cystic Carcinoma (AdCC) of the breast consist of cribriform proliferations of epithelial and myoepithelial cells with an immunophenotypic overlap of some myoepithelial markers, such as p63 and smooth muscle actin (SMA). To our knowledge, CD10 and HHF35 actin have not been assessed in the differential diagnosis of these two breast lesions. We performed an immunohistochemical study on 6 cases of CS and 9 cases of AdCC. We found CD10, muscle-specific actin (HHF35), Estrogen and Progesterone receptors (ER and PR) to be strongly expressed in CS, but not in AdCC; C-kit was diffusely positive in AdCC and scanty in CS; SMA, p63 and Cytokeratine 5/6 (CK5/6) were positive in both. Our results also confirm that AdCC could be true basal-like neoplasia, probably arising from a basal stem line tending to divergent differentiation toward CK5/6/C-kit+, ER/PR-, epithelial basal-like cell type, and toward a myoepitelial-like cell type, with an incomplete SMA/p63+, CD10/HHF35- immunophenotype. By contrast, CS is a reactive, benign proliferation of two well-differentiated cell types: epithelial (ER/PR+, C-kit-) and myoepithelial cells with a complete immunophenotype including CD10/HHF35 positivity. Our study highlights the usefulness of CD10 and HHF35 in the differential diagnosis and helps to understand the histogenesis of the two lesions.