title: Adrenocorticotropic hormone and growth factor receptors in breast cancer.
abstract: Tissues from 100 cases of breast cancer were analysed immunohistochemically for the presence of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or ACTH-like peptides and expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) as well as oestrogen receptor (ER). Immunopositivity for ACTH was found in 15% cases of infiltrating duct carcinoma of the breast, whereas 38% and 36% breast tumours were positive for c-erbB-2 and EGF-R respectively. While 27% cases were positive for ER. The immunoexpressions of all parameters were higher in breast cancer cases with upper age group (45 years or above) than the patients below 45 years of age. A significant correlation was observed between the tumour grade and the expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. Further, a positive association between the immunoexpression of c-erbB-2 and EGF-R was noticed. Interestingly, a statistically significant relationship was found between the immunopositivity of ACTH and ER. The study reflects a probable association of ACTH or ACTH-like peptides in pathological process of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Maulana Azad Medical College Campus, New Delhi 110 002, India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ratnakar
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor