Use of specimen mammography-guided FNA (fine-needle aspirates) for flow cytometric multiple marker analysis and. immunophenotyping in breast cancer

A pilot study of a novel translational research method to simultaneously as say multiple molecular markers and DNA in fine-needle aspirates (FNA) of ma mmographically detected breast lesions is described. Specimen mammography-g uided 20-gauge FNAs obtained from 86 lesions and 22 areas of normal tissue were analyzed by multiparameter flow cytometry far DNA content, her2/neu, t ransforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), and the epithelial marker cyto keratin (CK) simultaneously. Epithelial cell her2/neu positivity was detect ed in 12 of 44 (27%) of invasive ductal carcinomas and 3 of 9 (33%) ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 10 of 30 (33%) benign lesions, and 4 of 22 (18%) normal tissue aspirates. All lesions and normal tissue showed a similar pos itive rate for TGF alpha ranging from 61 to 76%. The CK(+)TGF alpha(-)her2/ neu(+) immunophenotype was more frequently positive in aneuploid tumors (22 %) than all other lesions (7%) (P < 0.05). Specimen mammography-guided FNAs provide fresh cells for flow cytometric multiple marker analysis and immun ophenotyping of clinically occult breast lesions and normal tissue. Cytomet ry (Comm. Clin. Cytometry) 42: 165-173, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.