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[Experimental and clinical study on flow cytometric DNA analysis of human breast carcinoma]
1Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Flow cytometric DNA analysis was performed on four human breast carcinoma xenografts serially transplanted into nude mice (MX-1, T-61, R-27 and MCF-7) together with 31 surgical specimens of breast carcinoma. Mechanically dissociated tumor cells were stained with propidium iodide and histograms were obtained by counting at least 2 x 10(4) cells using EPICS-V flow cytometer. Tumor ploidy was expressed as DNA Index using internal standard of chicken red blood cells and the percentage of cells in the S phase of cell cycle was determined by Bagwell's program. All of four xenografts and 23 of 31 clinical specimens showed non-diploid pattern. Statistically significant correlation was observed between %S and tumor doubling time of human tumor xenografts, viewed rapid growing tumor revealed high %S. In clinical cases, statistically significant correlation was present between %S and histological grade and the state of hormone receptors. Histological grade III tumors had a significantly higher %S than that of histological grade I tumors. ER negative tumors showed a significantly higher mean %S than that of ER positive tumors. Similarly, PgR negative tumors possessed a significantly higher mean %S than that of PgR positive tumors. However, no significant correlation was found between ploidy pattern and clinicopathological parameters. It was concluded that flow cytometric %S might be useful to estimate the biological malignancy of human breast carcinomas.
Insights
Flow cytometry reveals that the percentage of cells in S phase (%S) correlates with breast cancer malignancy. Higher %S indicates faster tumor growth and more aggressive cancer, aiding in biological malignancy estimation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
Context:
- Flow cytometry is a powerful technique for analyzing cell populations.
- Breast cancer exhibits diverse biological behaviors and clinical outcomes.
- Understanding cell cycle kinetics is crucial for cancer prognostication.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the utility of flow cytometric DNA analysis in characterizing human breast carcinoma xenografts and clinical specimens.
- To investigate the correlation between cell cycle S-phase fraction (%S) and clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer.
- To determine if %S can serve as a marker for biological malignancy in breast carcinomas.
Summary:
- Flow cytometric DNA analysis was performed on breast cancer xenografts and clinical samples.
- A high percentage of cells in the S phase (%S) correlated with faster tumor doubling time in xenografts.
- %S also correlated with higher histological grade and hormone receptor negativity (ER, PgR) in clinical cases, suggesting increased malignancy.
Impact:
- Flow cytometric %S analysis provides valuable insights into breast cancer cell proliferation.
- This method may serve as a useful tool for estimating the biological malignancy of breast carcinomas.
- Findings contribute to a better understanding of breast cancer heterogeneity and progression.