Immunohistochemical localization of transferrin in human breast cancer tissue

The present study was planned to detect the iron binding protein, transferrin (TR) in paraffin sections of the human breast tumors. The distribution of transferrin has been studied in 153 cases (63 benign lesions and 90 malignant tumors). The extent of staining reaction was determined by semiquantitative grading (weak, moderate and consistent). Positivity rate for transferrin was higher (92.2%) in malignant tumors as compared to benign breast lesions (28.5%) with significant p value (P = .0001) for both the groups. The intensity was variable in both the groups, being more intense in the malignant tumors. Tumors with higher grade of malignancy presented consistent positive staining along with the lymph nodes involved. The extent of immunoreactivity revealed a significant positive correlation with axillary lymph node status. However, no significant correlation was found with the age of the patients. Thus the study of transferrin in breast tumors besides being of prognostic significance helps in the further management of malignant lesions of the breast.