[Immunohistochemical study of alpha-macroglobulins in breast cancer]

Immunohistochemistry of macroglobulins (alpha2-macroglobulin and alpha2-glycoprotein associated with pregnancy) in parenchyma and stroma of the normal breast, breast fibroadenoma and carcinoma was studied. The tissues of the normal breast had low levels of both proteins. The parenchyma of fibroadenoma had an increased level of alpha2-macroglobulin. The parenchyma of breast carcinoma showed an increase of alpha2-glycoprotein level. An efficient therapeutical radiation was accompanied by an alpha2-glycoprotein fall and alpha2-macroglobulin rise. The data can be used as diagnostic and prognostic criteria of breast fibroadenoma and carcinoma.