title: C-erbB-2 expression and DNA ploidy status in breast cancer cells obtained by fine needle aspiration (FNA).
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the relative rate of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein immunodetection on matched fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears and surgical specimens of breast cancer, and to correlate the c-erbB-2 expression with the assessment of the DNA ploidy status. The expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein was evaluated using an immunoalkaline phosphatase technique in 49 breast aspirates (four benign and 45 malignant lesions) and 21 matched surgical specimens. The DNA ploidy status was assessed by densitometric techniques on Feulgen-stained smears. Fifty-eight per cent of the smears obtained from 45 malignant lesions and 43% of the 21 corresponding paraffin sections contained cells that were stained by the antibody. The higher incidence of c-erbB-2 expression on smears seems to be due mainly to the better antigen preservation in the fresh cytological preparations. The correlation between c-erbB-2 oncogene expression and DNA ploidy assessment showed an increased incidence of oncogene expression in aneuploid tumours (71% vs 29%; P < 0.05).
authors.affiliation: Laboratory and Cytopathology Service, Institute of Pathology, II Faculty of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Troncone
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zeppa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fulciniti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Benedetto
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lobresco
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Divitiis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vetrani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palombini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011003:Ploidies; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
chemical_list: D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases