VLA(3) INTEGRIN EXPRESSION IN BREAST CARCINOMAS EVALUATED BY AUTOMATED AND QUANTITATIVE IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY/

VLA, expression was immunohistochemically investigated in 145 breast c arcinomas. Frozen tissue sections were probed with monoclonal anti-VLA , using automated (Ventana ES 320 system) and quantitative (SAMBA 2005 image processor) immunoperoxidase. A positive anti-VLA, immunoreactio n was observed in 86 tumors (23.5%) within epithelial cells of carcino mas. The positive surface in tumors varied from 3% to 38% (mean = 13.8 %, SD=11.5) and was independent of the tumor size, grade, type and ane uploidy, and of nodal status. VLA(2) was significantly correlated with VCAM (p<0.01), VLA(2) (p<0.01), E cadherin (p=0.025), and CD44 v (p<0 .01), and an inverse relationship was observed with Ki67/MIB 1 (p=0.00 24) and P-53 (p=0.034). In contrast VLA, expression proved to be indep endent of Bcl-2, c-erbB-2, cathepsin D, tenascin, CD31, ELAM, RE, RP, PS2 immunohistochemical expression. The results suggest that VLA, expr ession in tumors is related to the regulation of other adhesion molecu les involved in the metastasis process, but the prognostic significanc e and clinical relevance of VLA, immunodetection in breast carcinomas remain to be demonstrated.