DNA-PLOIDY AND VIMENTIN EXPRESSION IN PRIMARY BREAST-CANCER

The DNA content of 50 breast cancers of varying tumour type, grade and stage was measured using static image cytometry, and correlated with vimentin expression in the tumour cells. A tendency to increased vimen tin expression and aneuploidy was observed in high grade and late stag e tumours(1). A statistically significant difference was observed in D NA index and ploidy balance between grade 1 and grades 2 and 3 carcino mas (P < 0.05) and between stage I and stage II carcinomas (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference in the expression of vimentin betw een grades 1, 2, 3 (P < 0.001), and stages I, II and III ductal carcin omas (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in the prolife ration index and the degree of hyperploidy (P > 0.05). Clonal heteroge neity was observed in 25% of breast carcinomas, and was associated wit h increased vimentin expression. These changes may be indicative of ge nomic alteration and tumour aggressiveness.