title: Prognostic impact of CD133 immunoexpression in node-negative invasive breast carcinomas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) are able to prepare the site for incoming neoplastic cells. Among different markers of HPCs, which one should be considered the most efficient was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred and seventy-nine non-metastatic lymph nodes from 49 patients affected by invasive breast cancer were submitted to an immunohistochemical comparative analysis of hematopoietic (CD34), endothelial (CD133), mesenchymal (CD117) progenitors and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1, also known as Flt1). The cases with an intensity-distribution score >3 were considered as high HPC expressors. Survival univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen out of the 49 patients were recorded as HPC high expressors based on the immunohistochemical VEGFR1 staining. A highly significant relationship was found between high HPC immunoexpression and the development of distant metastasis as well as the occurrence of bone localization (p<0.001). By univariate analysis, CD133 showed a highly significant value regarding metastatic localizations in the bone; by multivariate analysis, CD133 emerged as the only independent prognostic variable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CD133 expression shows a potential predictive role, thus representing a helpful tool for the management of breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Pathology, A.O.U. Polyclinic G. Martino, Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ieni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giuffrè
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Adamo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tuccari
mesh_terms: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D018275:Carcinoma, Lobular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D006023:Glycoproteins; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1