[DNA content analysis of breast cancer cells recognized by monoclonal antibody]

DNA content of breast cancer cells recognized by monoclonal antibody Ki-67 was assayed with flow cytometry in 50 cases. The relationships between sorted or unsorted assay data and metastasis in axillary lymph nodes were analyzed. The results showed that: (1) Aneuploidy rate of breast cancer determined by sorting with Ki-67 was increased and significantly correlated with metastasis in axillary lymph nodes. (2) S-phase fraction (SPF) determined by both sorting and unsorting assay were significantly correlated with axillary lymph node metastasis. (3) Proliferative index (PI) was significantly correlated with axillary lymph node metastasis. This correlation was more significant by sorting with Ki-67. (4) The range of growth fraction (GF) was 28.8%-83.4%, with a mean value of 52.6%. The authors concluded that (1) accuracy of DNA content analysis of breast cancer cells can be increased by sorting with monoclonal antibody Ki-67. (2) DNA ploidy and SPF are important prognostic factors of breast cancer. (3) PI is of great importance in the evaluation of biological behaviours of breast cancer.