Expression of pS2 protein and estrogen and progesterone receptor status in breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate pS2 protein expression and estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) status of imprints from surgical biopsies of breast cancer cases in relation to the histologic grade of malignancy.


METHODS
The study group consisted of 50 cases of primary breast carcinomas. For the demonstration of pS2 protein expression an immunocyto-chemical avidin-biotin complex technique was applied. Monoclonal antibody pS2 was used as the primary antibody, diaminobenzidine as the chromogene and hematoxylin as the counterstain. For the evaluation of ERs and PRs, a biochemical method was applied.


RESULTS
Sixty-two percent of breast cancer cases showed positive expression of pS2. Of the 31 pS2+ cases, 74% had positive ERs and PRs. A statistically significant difference was observed between pS2 protein expression, ER+, PR+ and histologic grade of malignancy (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Two groups of breast cancer cases can be distinguished: one group that is ER+, PR+ and pS2+, with low malignancy potential, and another group that is ER-, PR- and pS2-, with high malignancy potential.
Ioakim-Liossi
A
A
Department of Clinical Cytology and Cytogenetics, University of Athens Medical School, Greece.
Karakitsos
P
P
Markopoulos
C
C
Aroni
K
K
Delivelioti
K
K
Gogas
J
J
Kyrkou
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D011506:Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins