Expression of cytokeratin and erbB-2 oncoprotein in Paget's disease of the nipple. An immunohistochemical study.

Abstract

The occurrence of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), low molecular weight cytokeratin (CK) and erbB-2 oncoprotein was investigated in twenty-eight cases of Paget's disease of the nipple (PD) to determine their diagnostic usefulness. The ABC technique with monoclonal antibodies was used on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. The Paget's cells showed positive immunoreactivity for all three antigens investigated in a high percentage of PD. Immunoreactivity for CK and erbB-2 oncoprotein was restricted to the Paget's cells, whereas EMA in some cases also stained the adjacent keratinocytes. Since CK and/or erbB-2 oncoprotein occurred in 93% of the cases, we conclude that demonstration of both antigens is useful in the diagnosis of PD. ErbB-2 oncoprotein was also found to be expressed in a high percentage of the underlying intraductal and invasive carcinomas.

• Authors: T Haerslev, G Krag Jacobsen
• Journal: APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica, et immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS) Vol. 100 Issue 11 Pg. 1041-7 (Nov 1992) ISSN: 0903-4641 [Print] Denmark
• PMID: 1282021 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Membrane Glycoproteins
• Mucin-1
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• Keratins
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating (pathology)
• Humans
• Immunoenzyme Techniques
• Keratins (metabolism)
• Membrane Glycoproteins (metabolism)
• Mucin-1
• Nipples (metabolism)
• Paget's Disease, Mammary (metabolism)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (metabolism)
• Receptor, ErbB-2