Immunohistochemical detection of lactoferrin in human astrocytomas and multiforme glioblastomas

The presence of lactoferrin in astrocytomas, anaplastic astrocytomas and multiforme glioblastomas was determined by immunohistochemistry; the staining intensity and the percentage of neoplastic stained cells were graded and statistical analysis was performed by non-parametric methods. A moderate to strong diffuse immunoreactivity for lactoferrin was shown in glial elements of astrocytomas, while the positivity was progressively reduced in anaplastic astrocytomas and in multiforme glioblastomas, some of which were unstained; a highly significant difference was found between scores relative to astrocytomas and glioblastomas. We suggest that the lactoferrin may be produced by neoplastic astrocytes which permits a greater availability of iron for metabolic cellular processes. Alternatively, the cytoplasmic localization of lactoferrin in neoplastic astrocytes may be the consequence of defective or functionally impaired lactoferrin receptors at the cellular surface.