Glutathione localisation in benign and malignant human breast lesions.
Reduced glutathione (GSH) has been demonstrated in benign and malignant human breast lesions using a newly developed histofluorescence technique. GSH was present in every lesion and in each case was localised to the epithelium. A semi-quantitative assessment revealed a moderate amount of GSH in normal epithelium and fibroadenoma and a high level in apocrine metaplasia, epitheliosis and intraduct carcinoma. Invasive ductal carcinoma contained a variable amount of GSH. Correlation between fluorescence intensity and histological grade of ductal carcinomas was almost statistically significant but a relationship to oestrogen receptor status was not detected. The rapid assessment of GSH in breast cancer may aid in the selection of optimum chemotherapeutic regimens.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001940:Breast / Q000032:analysis; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D005978:Glutathione