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Beta-hCG/LH receptor (b-HCG/LH-R) expression is increased in invasive versus preinvasive breast cancer: implications for breast carcinogenesis?

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Abstract

Introduction

The role of the b-HCG/LH/LH-R system in breast cancer is conflicting. Whereas some reports suggest a protective effect of b-HCG on breast epithelium, vitro studies implicate a role of b-HCG/LH-R in the development and growth of breast tumors.

Material and methods

In order to further investigate a possible involvement of b-HCG/LH-R in breast carcinogenesis, immunofluorescence analyses of b-HCG/LH-R expression was performed on 70 preinvasive and adjacent invasive breast cancer specimen using tissue microarrays (TMAs).

Results

In 37 preinvasive samples available for further analysis, b-HCG/LH-R was found in 8/37 samples (21.6%; weak, intermediate and strong staining in 4/37 (10.8%), 2/37 (5.4%) and 2/37 (5.4%). In contrast, b-HCG/LH-R expression was observed in 19/27 (70.4%) adjacent invasive specimen with weak, moderate and strong immunostaining in 10/27 (37.0%), 6/27 (22.2%) and 3/27 (11.1%), respectively. This was statistically significant when compared to preinvasive components (P = 0.001, Chi Square Test).

Conclusions

Based on the observation that b-HCG/LH-R was found to be selectively upregulated in invasive tumor components, we suggest that under certain circumstances, sensitivity of ductal cells to hormones that target b-HCG/LH-R could favour mammary carcinogenesis.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Barbara Weidinger and Martha Weinhaeusl for technical assistance with the immunohistochemical procedures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Special Gynecology, Department of OB/GYN, Vienna Medical University, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Gernot Hudelist, Anneliese Fink-Retter, Daphne Gschwantler-Kaulich, Georg Pfeiler, Ernst Kubista & Christian F. Singer

  2. Department of OB/GYN LKH Villach, Vienna Medical University, Vienna, Austria

    Gernot Hudelist

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany

    Pia Wuelfing

  4. Department of Clinical Pathology/Gynaecopathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Klaus Czerwenka

  5. Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Martin Knöfler & Sandra Haider

Authors
  1. Gernot Hudelist
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  2. Pia Wuelfing
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  3. Klaus Czerwenka
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  9. Ernst Kubista
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  10. Christian F. Singer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christian F. Singer.

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Hudelist, G., Wuelfing, P., Czerwenka, K. et al. Beta-hCG/LH receptor (b-HCG/LH-R) expression is increased in invasive versus preinvasive breast cancer: implications for breast carcinogenesis?. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 135, 191–195 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-008-0458-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-008-0458-3

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