No abstract

The protein product of the ras cellular oncogene(s) (p21) was assayed in primary breast carcinomas from two groups of patients who had different axillary lymph node status. Using an immunohistochemical assay, the intensity and percent of neoplastic cells demonstrating ras p21 antigen staining were significantly higher in the primary tumors from patients with lymph nodes positive (LN+) for malignancy (20 patients) compared with the lymph node negative (LNO) group (21 patients). The expression of p21 also correlated with tumor size. Age and estrogen receptor status did not influence p21 staining. The antigen expression of p21 was similar in intensity and distribution in the primary tumor and regional lymph node metastases. Enhanced expression of p21 in primary breast cancers that metastasize to regional nodes indicates that ras p21 may be a determinant of the malignant potential of breast cancer cells and may represent a new class of more biologically relevant tumor markers.

No abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the reactivity of monoclonal antibody (MAb) B72.3 when applied directly to aspiration biopsy cytology (ABC) of the breast in the following conditions: (1) infiltration lobular carcinoma; (2) fibrocystic disease; (3) fibroadenoma; and (4) apocrine cysts. Nine of ten aspirates from infiltrating lobular carcinoma were positive in these assays, while 21 of 22 benign cases reacted negatively. The single false-positive benign aspirate manifested a staining pattern characteristic of apocrine cells. This study demonstrates that the MAb B72.3 can be employed as a potentially valuable diagnostic adjunct. It can be used on stained aspirates to assist in the interpretation of ABC from breast lesions.