[A comparative immunohistochemical and biochemical study of estrogen receptors in breast cancer]

The authors review the results of a comparative study of 25 mammary carcinomas, examined by the immunohistochemical method (IHM) with the use of ER-D5 monoclonal antibodies (Amersham) and by the cytosol receptor protein binding of a labeled ligand followed by the unbound hormone adsorption on dexteran-coated coal (DCM). Pap test with the above antibodies has been employed in immunohistochemical studies. The IHM has been highly specific. The results coincided in 21 of the 25 cases (83.3%). The reaction has been heterogenous in the same tumor. Quantitative values obtained by the two methods coincided in many cases. The IHM may have a wide practical application, provided the reagents are available, for it does not require sophisticated equipment and is simple to perform.