Gross Cystic Disease Fluid Protein-15 (GCDFP-15) Expression Characterizes Breast Mucinous Carcinomas in Older Women

Abstract

The predominant histological subtype of breast mucinous carcinoma in older women is type B (hypercellular type), and, in younger women, it is type A (hypocellular type). The characteristics of mucinous carcinomas of the same histological subtype may differ between older and younger women. This study aims to systematically clarify the pathological/immunohistochemical features of mucinous carcinomas. A total of 21 surgical cases of mucinous carcinoma (type A/B: 9/12 cases) in the older group (≥65 years) and 16 cases (type A/B: 14/2 cases) in the younger group (≤55 years) (n = 37) were included. Gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) and eight other markers were used for immunostaining. The GCDFP-15-positive rate in the older group was high regardless of the histological subtype (type A, 77.8%; type B, 91.7%). The GCDFP-15 positivity in the older group was significantly higher than that in the younger group (p < 0.001 for Allred score). Among type A, GCDFP-15 positivity was significantly higher in the older group than in the younger group (p = 0.042 for the Allred score and p = 0.007 for the positivity rate). The present results suggest that GCDFP-15 expression characterizes mucinous carcinomas in older women.

Prognostic Role of Prolactin-Induced Protein (PIP) in Breast Cancer

“…These findings are consistent with a study by Jablonska et al which suggests that high PIP expression is correlated with a better response to adjuvant therapy, implying that PIP may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting chemotherapy response and clinical outcomes in BC patients [ 4 ]. Interestingly, in breast mucinous carcinoma, GCDFP-15 (also known as PIP) expression is strongly associated with older age, irrespective of the carcinoma subtype or other immunohistochemical markers [ 79 ]. Moreover, apocrine markers (GCDFP-15/AR) were more prevalent in older patients and characterized mucinous carcinoma in this age group and some studies suggest that the biological characteristics of mucinous carcinoma in older patients are apocrine-like features rather than neuroendocrine features [ 80 , 81 ].…”

“…Moreover, apocrine markers (GCDFP-15/AR) were more prevalent in older patients and characterized mucinous carcinoma in this age group and some studies suggest that the biological characteristics of mucinous carcinoma in older patients are apocrine-like features rather than neuroendocrine features [ 80 , 81 ]. Other immunohistochemical markers, such as CGA, SYP, CD56, AR, ER, PgR, HER2, and Ki-67, did not show consistent associations with age or carcinoma type [ 79 ]. These conclusions highlight the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of breast mucinous carcinoma in older and younger patients.…”

The Enigma of Mammaglobin: Redefining the Biomarker Paradigm in Breast Carcinoma

“…This marker is noted for its significant link with mammary differentiation and has shown a correlation with mammaglobin expression. Research is ongoing into its potential as a breast cancer biomarker [45].…”