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Expression of the pS2 peptide in primary breast carcinomas: Comparison of membrane and cytoplasmic staining patterns
Author(s) -
Dookeran K. A.,
Rye P. D.,
Dearing S. J.,
Walker R. A.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/path.1711710209
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , staining , mammary gland , cytoplasm , receptor , biology , breast cancer , progesterone receptor , oestrogen receptor , pathology , endocrinology , medicine , cancer , estrogen receptor , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology
The pS2 protein is oestrogen‐regulated in breast cancer cell lines. Previous studies have shown a relationship to oestrogen receptor in primary breast carcinomas. This study examined 178 breast carcinomas for pS2 using immunohistochemistry. A high frequency (77 per cent) of positive tumours was found, using a 10 per cent cut‐off point to define a positive tumour. There was no relationship with menopausal status or node status, a significant association with differentiation, a weak association with oestrogen receptor, and no association with progesterone receptor or overall survival. Two patterns of cellular localization were observed: cytoplasmic and membrane. The former showed a stronger relationship with oestrogen receptor status, although there were oestrogen receptornegative tumours with marked pS2 staining. Membrane staining showed a stronger relationship with differentiation, with a staining pattern similar to that observed for milk fat globule membrane. The staining patterns observed may support a role for pS2 in a secretory mechanism. However, the expression and function of pS2 in breast carcinomas emain complex, and are not simply related to oestrogen regulation.