C-erbB-2 protein and neuroendocrine expression in breast carcinomas

90 primary breast carcinomas and 18 metastases were immunostained for c-erbB-2 protein and neuron specific enolase. 30 tumours were c-erbB-2 negative and NSE positive, 23 tumours were NSE negative and c-erbB-2 positive. 1 tumour expressed focal immunoreactivity for both markers. 54 of the 108 tumours (50%) did not express either marker. Hormone immunoreactivity was present in single cells and in small groups of cells in 18 of the 31 NSE positive tumours. Bombesin, neurotensin and prealbumin were present in 4 cases each, followed by beta-endorphin and VIP in 3 cases each, leu-enkephalin in 2 cases and gastrin, serotonin, substance P, glucagon and somatostatin in 1 case each. None of 10 NSE negative breast carcinomas were comprised of cells expressing immunoreactivity for hormones. By immunoelectron microscopic examination the c-erbB-2 protein was shown to be present on the cell membrane, on smooth areas, microvilli and in coated pits. Immunoreactivity was also expressed in vesicles in cytoplasm and along rough endoplasmic reticulum. The study shows that c-erbB-2 protein expression and neuroendocrine activity are present in different tumour cell populations. This supports the hypothesis that the presence of c-erbB-2 protein, indicating an elevated cellular tyrosine kinase activity with stimulation of growth, intracellular Ca++, and phosphatidylinositol derivates, means that the same cell does not need regulation of the same factors by stimulation of peptide hormone receptors. Thus the production of autocrine and paracrine factors is switched off.