Immunohistochemical distribution of a breast cancer-associated glycoprotein

The tissue distribution and specificity of a glycoprotein of M(r) 230,000 kDa which has previously been identified from breast carcinomas in culture and shown to be tumour-associated, has been assessed using a polyclonal antiserum. A wide range of tissues has been examined immunohistochemically. The tissue distribution of the glycoprotein show differences between normal, benign and malignant breast and other epithelial tissues, and are clearly specific for epithelial cells. This glycoprotein as detected by the polyclonal antiserum P5252-2, was either absent or showed a minimal presence in normal breast tissues. Evidence of the expression of the glycoprotein in hyperplastic breast was observed but was considerably less than that seen for carcinomas, for which 70% had greater than 50% of cells exhibiting reactivity with P5252-2. There was no relationship with grade or node status. Similar striking differences in glycoprotein expression between non-neoplastic and neoplastic tissue were observed for stomach, large intestine, thyroid and to lesser extent ovary. The differences in the expression of this glycoprotein between normal and malignant tissues is of obvious clinical and pathological potential.