Progesterone-binding cyst protein (PBCP = GCDFP-24) and steroid hormone receptors as markers of differentiation in breast cancer. Inverse relation of distribution in normal and malignant tissue of the same breast.
Progesterone-binding cyst protein (PBCP, identical to Gross Cystic Disease Fluid Protein; GCDFP-24) has been evaluated as a possible marker of differentiation in breast tissues. In 17 women with verified operable breast cancer, we have quantitated the cytosol content of PBCP, steroid hormone receptors (estrogen receptor[ER], progesterone receptor[PR] and androgen receptor[AR] as well as albumin in specimens from the primary tumor and from the adjacent non-malignant tissue of the same breast. A significantly higher amount of PBCP (p less than 0.001) and albumin (p less than 0.003) was found in the non-malignant tissue. Conversely, the content of steroid receptors was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in the malignant tumor, compared to the non-malignant breast tissue. A significant correlation (p = 0.005) between PBCP content in the malignant tumor and in the non-malignant tissue was found. In malignant tissue, ER was significantly correlated with AR (p = 0.007) and to age at operation (p = 0.006). Our results are in agreement with recent reports on other tissue parameters, which indicate qualitative and quantitative differences between the malignant and the non-malignant counterpart with regard to regulation of cell growth and the expression of differentiation markers. This study provides evidence for PBCP as a marker of differentiation to be implemented in further clinical and basic research on breast cancer.
Søreide
J A
JA
Department of Surgery, Rogaland Central Hospital, Stavanger, Norway.
Lea
O A
OA
Kvinnsland
S
S
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis*
C024328:APOD protein, human; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone