[Clonal analysis of human breast tumors by means of polymerase chain reaction]

Clonal analysis has been done using the method based on restriction fragment length polymorphism of the X-chromosome-linked phosphoglycerokinase gene and on random inactivation of the gene by methylation. Introduction of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of this method has enabled clonal analysis of minute lesions. Utilizing this PCR-based method, clonality of a variety of human breast tumors (breast carcinoma, fibroadenoma, phyllodes tumor, intraductal papilloma, and atypical ductal hyperplasia) was studied in the present investigation in order to obtain valuable information on the histogenesis of these tumors.