Immunofluorescent detection of estrogen receptors in breast cancer. Comparison with dextran-coated charcoal and sucrose gradient assays

✍ Scribed by Louis P. Pertschuk; Ellis H. Tobin; David J. Brigati; Dong S. Kim; Norman D. Bloom; Eric Gaetjens; Peter J. Berman; Anne C. Carter; George A. Degenshein

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1978
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 525 KB
• Volume: 41
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0008-543X
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-0142(197803)41:3<907::aid-cncr2820410318>3.0.co;2-v

✦ Synopsis

Biopsy specimens from 106 women with primary operable, recurrent or metastatic breast cancer were analyzed in a double blind study designed to compare the results of a new fluorescent antibody method for detection of estrogen receptors with estrogen receptors measured biochemically with dextran-coated charcoal and sucrose gradient assay techniques. Assay results correlated in 89.4% of tumors analyzed, and molecular receptor forms ( 8 s and 4 s ) were accurately predicted in 94.7% of neoplasms studied. Divergent results most often occurred in specimens sparsely populated with malignant cells. The new technique permitted recognition of possible sources of false negative results such as necrosis, absence of tumor and, on occasion, estrogen bound in uiuo. It was possible to analyze by the immunofluorescence method two specimens of insufficient size for biochemical assay. Cancer 41:907-911, 1978.

STROGEN RECEPTOR PROTEIN (ER) ANALYSIS

E is of importance in predicting response to hormonal therapies in women with breast cancer. Current biochemical methods for measuring specific E R require expensive equipment, so- phisticated methods to prepare tumor cytosol, and the use of radioactive materials. Employ-