title: Beta-hCG/LH receptor (b-HCG/LH-R) expression is increased in invasive versus preinvasive breast cancer: implications for breast carcinogenesis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The role of the b-HCG/LH/LH-R system in breast cancer is conflicting. Whereas some reports suggest a protective effect of b-HCG on breast epithelium, vitro studies implicate a role of b-HCG/LH-R in the development and growth of breast tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to further investigate a possible involvement of b-HCG/LH-R in breast carcinogenesis, immunofluorescence analyses of b-HCG/LH-R expression was performed on 70 preinvasive and adjacent invasive breast cancer specimen using tissue microarrays (TMAs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 37 preinvasive samples available for further analysis, b-HCG/LH-R was found in 8/37 samples (21.6%; weak, intermediate and strong staining in 4/37 (10.8%), 2/37 (5.4%) and 2/37 (5.4%). In contrast, b-HCG/LH-R expression was observed in 19/27 (70.4%) adjacent invasive specimen with weak, moderate and strong immunostaining in 10/27 (37.0%), 6/27 (22.2%) and 3/27 (11.1%), respectively. This was statistically significant when compared to preinvasive components (P = 0.001, Chi Square Test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the observation that b-HCG/LH-R was found to be selectively upregulated in invasive tumor components, we suggest that under certain circumstances, sensitivity of ductal cells to hormones that target b-HCG/LH-R could favour mammary carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Special Gynecology, Department of OB/GYN, Vienna Medical University, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hudelist
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wuelfing
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Czerwenka
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Knöfler
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Haider
authors.forename: Anneliese
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fink-Retter
authors.forename: Daphne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gschwantler-Kaulich
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pfeiler
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kubista
authors.forename: Christian F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Singer