Immunohistochemical features of claudin-low intrinsic subtype in metaplastic breast carcinomas

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Gerhard, R (Author) Other; Ricardo, S (Author) Other; Albergaria, A (Author) FMUP; Gomes, M (Author) Other; da Silva, MAVR (Author) FCUP; Logullo, AF (Author) Other; Cameselle Teijeiro, JF (Author) Other; Joana Paredes (Author) FMUP; Fernando Schmitt (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Breast

Vol. 21

Pages: 354-360

ISSN: 0960-9776

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 36 Citations

Scopus - 41 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-964

DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2012.03.001

Abstract (EN): Purpose: The claudin-low molecular subtype of breast cancer includes triple negative invasive carcinomas, with a high frequency of metaplastic and medullary features. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemistry expression of claudins in a series of metaplastic breast carcinomas. We also assessed other claudin-low features, such as the cancer stem cell-like and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotypes. Results: The majority of the cases showed weak or negative staining for membrane claudins expression. We found 76.9% (10/13) low expressing cases for claudin-1, 84.6% (11/13) for claudin-3 and claudin-4, and 92.3% (12/13) for claudin-7. Regarding the cancer stem cell marker ALDH1, 30.8% (4/13) showed positive staining. We also showed that the majority of the cases presented a CD44(+)CD24(-/low) phenotype, positivity for vimentin and lack of E-cadherin expression. Interestingly, these claudin-low molecular features were specific of the mesenchymal component of metaplastic breast carcinomas, since its frequency was very low in other breast cancer molecular subtypes, as luminal, HER2-overexpressing and non-metaplastic triple negative tumors. Conclusions: The negative/low expression of claudins and E-cadherin, high levels of vimentin, and the breast cancer stem cell phenotype suggests that metaplastic breast carcinomas have similar features to the ones included in the claudin-low molecular subtype, specially their mesenchymal components.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7