Relationship of DNA ploidy to hormone receptor status and proliferation in invasive breast carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
In 247 primary invasive breast carcinomas, DNA ploidy was related to hormone receptor status, proliferation, and clinical/histopathologic factors.


METHODS
DNA ploidy analysis was performed by image analysis using imprints. Estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status was determined immunohistochemically. The proliferative activity of the tumours was assessed by Ki-67 antigen labelling. Total observation time was 3.5 years.


RESULTS
DNA ploidy analysis revealed a high fraction of tumours with non-peridiploid patterns (78%). Significant correlations between DNA ploidy and ER/PR receptor status (P < 0.01) were found with increased frequencies of peridiploid DNA results in receptor positive tumours. A significant relationship became manifest between DNA ploidy and Ki-67 index showing high frequencies of non-peridiploid DNA patterns in tumours with Ki-67 index > 20% (P < 0.01). There was a strong correlation (P < 0.001) between DNA ploidy and histopathologic grading, while tumour size and lymph node status were not correlated to DNA ploidy.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study on invasive breast carcinoma demonstrate that DNA ploidy measured by image analysis is predominantly associated with markers of cell differentiation. Preliminary outcome data reveal a risk-indicating potential of DNA ploidy primarily in cases with favourable results for other prognostic factors.
Spiethoff
A
A
Institut für Pathologie, Klinikum Ludwigshafen gGmbH, Bremserstrasse 79, 67063 Ludwigshafen/Rhein, Germany. spiethoa@klilu.de
Schenck
A
A
Bohrer
M
M
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011003:Ploidies; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone