EXPRESSION OF VARIANT FORMS OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR RECEPTOR-2 MESSENGER-RNA IN HUMAN BREAST CARCINOMAS

FGF (fibroblast growth factors) and FGF receptors may play a role in s troma-epithelium relationships in the mammary gland. Dysregulation of their interactions may be important in mammary carcinogenesis. Isoform s of the FGFR2 receptor, differing in the structure of the extracellul ar region, are expressed in the mammary gland and may diversely affect stroma-epithelium relationships. We determined the mRNA variants enco ding these isoforms in human cell lines and breast carcinomas. All pos sible combinations of variants were found. No correlation was observed between the presence of a particular variant and the expression of an y FGF gene tested, or the status of any histoclinical parameter.