IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL DETECTION OF PROLACTIN BINDING-SITES IN FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION SMEARS OF BREAST-LESIONS

Specific prolactin (PRL) binding sites were demonstrated in the fine n eedle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimens from 68 patients with benig n and malignant diseases of the breast using highly sensitive techniqu e of DNP hapten sandwich staining procedure and antibody against human PRL. In 16 patients, immunocytochemical staining was also carried out on paraffin embedded sections of corresponding lesions. FNAC specimen s included 52 neoplasms and 16 non-proliferative and proliferative ben ign breast disease. The reaction varied in different lesions, being ma ximum (72%) in malignant tumours and 60 per cent in benign tumours. Ho wever, benign breast disease showed a reaction that varied with the le sion. The technique was found to be simple, sensitive and economical f or demonstrating specific PRL binding sites in cytology specimens of b reast lesions.