Aneuploid subpopulations in tumour-invaded lymph nodes from breast cancer patients.
Fresh, paired primary tumours and lymph node metastases from breast cancer patients were compared by DNA flow cytometry. Although 65% of primary tumours were aneuploid, the detection of aneuploid peaks in corresponding nodal metastases was rare (only 6 cases out of 25) in single-parameter DNA analysis. Detection of aneuploid subpopulations in lymph nodes was greatly improved in dual-parameter DNA analysis using an anticytokeratin (CK) antibody which allowed ploidy determination on CK+ epithelial cells alone. Examination of 12 lymph nodes for CK+ cells revealed the presence of both diploid and aneuploid tumour cells in tumour invaded nodes. In patients with multiploid primary tumours, a subpopulation of the primary aneuploid cells was dominant in the nodal metastases. This suggests that aneuploidy is an integral property of metastatic cells and that within a primary tumour a subpopulation may have a higher metastatic potential.
Alam
S M
SM
Department of Biochemistry, University of Glasgow, U.K.
Whitford
P
P
Cushley
W
W
George
W D
WD
Campbell
A M
AM
D000782:Aneuploidy; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000276:immunology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000235:genetics*; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000235:genetics
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D007633:Keratins