Biological markers in human breast carcinoma.

An indirect immunoperoxidase method has been used to study a series of breast carcinomas for the presence of five potential biological markers (two appropriate to breast, two placental proteins and one oncofetal protein). One or more markers were detectable in 84 per cent. of tumours, two or more in 60 per cent. and three of more in 32 per cent. Similarity of staining patterns was noted for two placental proteins and for the oncofetal protein and one placental protein. Markers appropriate to breast tissue tended to be detected in separate areas. In certain instances more than one antigen could be detected within the same cell. The relationship of the number of markers present to histological differentiation was found to be complex, but carcinomas with three or more antigens demonstrated showed a tendency to be well or moderately differentiated. Tumours with no markers often had not metastasised to lymph nodes but conversely those with four and five markers had. A striking throughout the study was the heterogenous secretory nature of breast carcinomas.