The lectin-binding sites for peanut agglutinin in invasive breast ductal carcinomas and their role as a prognostic factor.
The present study was designed to analyze the expression of lectin-binding sites for peanut agglutinin (PNA) in paraffin sections of primary invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified and to consider PNA lectin histochemistry as a further aid in the prognostic evaluation of breast cancer. The expression of lectin-binding sites was studied using the avidin-biotin complex/ immunoperoxidase technique, and analyzed in relation to the different clinical, pathological, and biological parameters of the primary disease, i.e. the presence or absence of nodal metastases, pre- or post-menopausal age, size of the tumor, mitotic activity index, morphometric prognostic index, DNA content, S-phase fraction, and steroid receptor status. The results show significant differences in PNA binding patterns among malignant epithelial breast cells. There was no expression of PNA-binding sites in 14 out of 157 tumors, while 64 showed mostly apical (membrane) staining and 124 non-apical (membrane and/or cytoplasmic) staining. Apical staining was mostly observed in patients without lymph node metastasis, with positive steroid receptor status, and those who were postmenopausal diagnosis; non-apical staining was mostly observed in lymph-node-positive premenopausal patients negative for steroid receptors and with aneuploid tumor cells. Our results indicate that, in malignant breast cells, there is an alteration of cell-surface glycoconjugates, shown by heterogeneity within a histopathologically defined group, which is related to different properties of tumor cells. The apical PNA binding pattern indicates a better differentiation of tumor cells while non-apical PNA binding suggests a higher metastatic potential. Specific PNA lectin binding patterns should be considered as a further reliable prognostic factor in breast cancer.
Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
E
E
Mustac
M
M
Melato
F
F
Sasso
T
T
Valkovic
C
C
Bottin
N
N
Jonjic
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis; D016196:S Phase
D037102:Lectins; D019887:Peanut Agglutinin; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone