Correlation between laminin and cathepsin D expressions in breast carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Laminin is a major glycoprotein component of basement membrane which is an important barrier to tumor cells which must be breached before metastatic spread can occur. Proteolytic enzymes play an important role in mediating the passage of cancer cells through the basement membrane (BM) and extracellular matrix. We have compared the patterns of laminin and cathepsin D (CD) expressions in a range of benign and malignant breast lesions to better understand the process of tumor progression.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-two cases of breast samples comprising 18 fibroadenomas, 22 cases of fibrocystic disease, 96 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma and 26 carcinomas with intraductal components were evaluated for laminin and cathepsin D expressions by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
The prevalence of CD positivity in both neoplastic and stromal cell components were significantly higher in higher histological grade tumors compared to lower grades (P <0.01). Various severity of BM disruption correlated with histological grade of the carcinomas (P <0.001). There was a negative correlation between the laminin expression and CD presence.


CONCLUSIONS
It was confirmed that in a process of cancer cell invasion and metastasis, it could be necessary with the basement membrane disruption by proteinase secreted by cancer cells and especially by stroma cells of cancer.
Zheng
Wei-Qiang
WQ
Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China. zhengwq@ynmail.com
Looi
Lai-Meng
LM
Cheah
Phaik-Leng
PL
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis*
D007797:Laminin; D002402:Cathepsin D