Immunohistochemical evaluation of GATA-3 expression in ER-negative breast carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
Estrogen receptor (ER), gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 (GCDFP-15), and mammaglobin (MGB) are commonly used breast-specific immunomarkers; however, about half of metastatic breast carcinomas are negative for all three. GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) has emerged recently as a sensitive and relatively specific immunomarker for breast and urothelial carcinomas, but the data documenting its expression in ER-negative breast carcinomas are limited; this often poses a dilemma in the setting of metastases. The purpose of this study is to investigate expression of GATA-3 in ER-negative breast carcinomas.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical evaluation of GATA-3, GCDFP-15, and MGB on 96 ER-negative breast carcinomas was performed.


RESULTS
Overall, 69% (66/96), 15% (14/96), and 35% (34/96) of ER-negative breast carcinomas expressed GATA-3, GCDFP-15, and MGB, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that GATA-3 is, so far, the best breast-specific immunomarker, especially when encountering ER-negative metastatic breast carcinomas. GATA-3 should be included in the panel of immunomarkers in the workup of tumors of unknown primary.
Dept of Laboratory Medicine, MC 01-31, Geisinger Medical Center, 100 N Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822; hliu1@geisinger.edu.
Haiyan
H
Liu
Jianhui
J
Shi
Jeffrey W
JW
Prichard
Yun
Y
Gong
Fan
F
Lin
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D060785:Mammaglobin A / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016609:Neoplasms, Second Primary / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D050990:GATA3 Transcription Factor; C494749:GATA3 protein, human; D060785:Mammaglobin A; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen
Breast carcinoma; ER negative; GATA-3; GCDFP-15; Mammaglobin