ESTROGEN-RECEPTOR, PROGESTERONE-RECEPTOR, PS2, ERD5, HSP27 AND CATHEPSIN-D IN INVASIVE DUCTAL BREAST CARCINOMAS

Hormonal receptors and markers for prognostic evaluation were detected immunohistochemically in 196 infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas. I mmunohistochemical detection of progesterone and oestrogen receptor is a method giving results generally concordant with those of the bindin g assay. However, immunohistochemical detection seems better. It allow s the detection of hormonal receptors on small carcinomas, it is not m odified by the endogenous hormones, and it has a slightly better corre lation with prognosis and with the response to hormone therapy. Immuno histochemical detection of progesterone receptor has a prognostic valu e, sorting a negative subgroup with a poor prognosis from the oestroge n receptor positive tumours. These results can be obtained without qua ntitative immunohistological methods. ERD5, pS2, HSP27 and cathepsin D are associated with oestrogen receptor positivity. pS2 and HSP27 are interesting markers. They characterize a subgroup of oestrogen recepto r negative tumours with a good prognosis. Moreover, pS2 is a marker of response to hormone therapy. ERD5 and cathepsin D do not appear to be of value as markers of prognosis.