Immunohistochemical expression of subunit beta HCG in breast cancer

The ectopic production of HCG by non-trophoblastic tumors is well documented. Adenocarcinomas arising in the mammary gland have been shown to stain positively for the beta subunit of HCG using immunoperoxidase technique. In the present study we used the Monoclonal antibodies (M. abs) H6, H34 and H54 directed against the subunits of this hormone. A total of 31 breast tissue sections from formalin fixed, paraffin embedded unselected material was examined, out of which 22 concerned different types of primary breast cancer (Ca), 5 local recurrences, 3 cystic disease (CD) and one was an axillary lymph node metastasis (LNM). All cases were evaluated for cytoplasmic localization of the beta subunit HCG using the Mab H36 and among the 27 breast Ca 9 were studied with Mab H34 and 6 with Mab H54. Our results with the Mab H6 showed the following: 1) 55.5% of the Ca including the recurrences, were strongly positive (+) and 18.5% weakly positive (+/-); 2) 63.6% of the Grade III tumors were negative (-), whereas 81.2% of the Grade II were +, 18.7% +/- and none was -; 3) It seems that by increasing infiltration of the tumor size positivity is increased; 4) Lymphocytic infiltration of the tumor stroma and LNM did not appear related; 5) From the FU data of 14 cases collected up to now, the 10-year-survival seems to be inconclusive; 6) The 3 cases of CD were negative except for the apocrine cells which were positive; 7) The unique axillary LNM was positive.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)