Breast cancer progression and expression of blood group-related tumor-associated antigens

There is sufficient evidence that blood group related Lewis antigens are ta mer-associated molecules. We have conducted immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of Lewis antigens in breast cancer tissue as an indicator o f the degree of malignancy and as a prognostic factor. The studies were per formed by examining 43 female patients diagnosed with invasive ductal carci noma of the breast. Postoperative specimens were stained immunohistochemica lly using a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for tumor-associ ated antigens: sialosyl Lewis(A), Lewis(A), Lewis(B), Lewis(x), and Lewis(Y ). The aims of the study were to compare the appearance of metastases, degr ee of cancer stage (pTNM), and its histologic differentiation with the expr ession of Lewis phenotype, The evaluation of antigen expression was perform ed quantitatively and independently by two pathologists, Statistical signif icance was defined by Mann-Whitney test. The presented analysis of Lewis an tigens showed higher expression of Le(B) and Le(A) (p = 0.03) in patients i n stage N2 than in stage N1, The expression of Le(B) and Le(Y) was higher i n patients in stage T4 than in stage T1 (p = 0.02). No differences were obs erved for histologic differentiation. These data suggest that the expressio n of sialosyl-Le(A) and Le(B) antigens in breast cancer may predict metasta ses to lymph nodes.