Clinicopathological correlates of GpIbalpha expression in human breast cancers.
BACKGROUND
GPIbalpha is the von Willebrand factor binding subunit of the GPIb/VI/IX receptor of platelets. We have recently demonstrated that GPIbalpha and the other receptor subunits of this platelet complex are aberrantly expressed on the surface of breast cancer cell lines in a functional form. The current study examines the clinicopathological correlates of GPIbalpha expression in human breast cancer.


METHODS
GPIbalpha expression was examined in a retrospective series of human breast cancers using immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
We found that of 98 primary breast cancers, 61 (62.2%) expressed GPIbalpha. The presence of the receptor did not correlate with any known prognostic variables including age, tumour size, or number of involved lymph nodes. GPIbalpha expression was not related to overall survival when the group was considered as a whole. However, it was prognostically important when considered in relation to the menopausal status of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that GPIbalpha immunoreactivity does not appear to be of prognostic significance overall, but may be important in a subset of breast cancer patients.
Suter
Catherine M
CM
Department of Medical Oncology, St Vincent's Hospital, Victoria St, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
Morgan
Graeme
G
Hanby
Andrew
A
Hawkins
Nicholas J
NJ
Ward
Robyn L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex