title: Different proliferation patterns in breast cancer: AgNOR measurements in ER-negative and ER-positive tumor cells.
abstract: The relation between estrogen receptors (ER) and argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in situ within human breast cancer cells was analyzed. For AgNOR measurements in 49 invasive breast carcinomas, a new reproducible staining method for dual demonstration of ER and AgNORs was applied. Quantitative AgNOR variables were determined in ER-positive and ER-negative tumor cells by digital image analysis. The relationships between AgNOR parameters of ER-positive and ER-negative cells and other prognostic factors of breast cancer [Bloom-Richardson-Grading and growth fraction (Ki-67 index)] were investigated. A higher AgNOR content in ER-negative cells and a special clustering phenomenon in ER-positive tumor cells were found. Correlation with other criteria of malignant potential could be exclusively demonstrated for ER-negative cells. ER-negative cells of breast cancer can be characterized as the more malignant and possibly prognosis-dictating cell fraction. Thus, ER-negative cells probably contribute more to the progression of the tumor disease and furthermore to the prognosis than ER-positive cells. We recommend measurement AgNORs exclusively in ER-negative cells of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Günther
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hufnagl
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Winzer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D002452:Cell Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009697:Nucleolus Organizer Region / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D016622:Silver Staining
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen