Immunohistochemical analysis of GCDFP-15 and GCDFP-24 in mammary and non-mammary tissue.
BACKGROUND
Gross cystic disease fluid protein (GCDFP)-15, a major constituent protein in breast cysts, is known to be a marker of breast cancer, while the diagnostic value of GCDFP-24, a protein with a molecular weight of 24,000 daltons, has not been determined. The aim of this study was to elucidate the usefulness of GCDFP-24 for the differential diagnosis of breast cancer in combination with GCDFP-15 and to characterize the histologic features of GCDFP-24-positive breast cancer.


METHODS
A total of 326 samples including non-neoplastic tissue and benign and malignant tumors from several anatomic sites were examined using commercially available monoclonal antibodies against GCDFP-15 and GCDFP-24.


RESULTS
In non-mammary tissue, GCDFP-15 was detected in skin, salivary gland, bronchial gland, prostate and seminal vesicle, and GCDFP-24 was detected in apocrine glands and peripheral nerve. Thirty-seven (44.6%) and 22 (26.5%) samples of 83 breast cancers were positive for GCDFP-15 and -24, respectively. Combined assays of GCDFP-15 and -24 raised the positive rate to 50.6%. The markers were not detected in tumors originating from gastrointestinal tract, bronchopulmonary structures or the genitourinary system. Breast cancers positive for both GCDFP-15 and GCDFP-24 were of lower histologic grade according to Bloom & Richardson's scoring system (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemical analysis of GCDFP-24 in combination with GCDFP-15 expression was useful for definitive diagnosis of breast cancers, and the expression of these markers correlated with low grade breast cancer.
Satoh
F
F
Department of Pathology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan.
Umemura
S
S
Osamura
R Y
RY
D001053:Apolipoproteins; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001940:Breast / Q000737:chemistry*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006023:Glycoproteins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry; D009928:Organ Specificity
C024328:APOD protein, human; D001053:Apolipoproteins; D053399:Apolipoproteins D; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D026901:Membrane Transport Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C488892:PIP protein, human