Relationship of DNA ploidy to hormone receptor status and proliferation ininvasive breast carcinoma

Purpose: In 247 primary invasive breast carcinomas. DNA ploidy was related to hormone receptor status, proliferation, and clinical/histopathologic fac tors. Methods: DNA ploidy analysis was performed by image analysts using im prints. Estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) receptor status was determined immunohistochemically. The proliferative activity of the tumours was assess ed by Ki-67 antigen labelling. Total observation time was 3.5 years. Result s: DNA ploidy analysis revealed a high fraction of tumours with non-peridip loid patterns (78%). Significant correlations between DNA ploidy and ER/PR receptor status (P < 0.01) were found with increased frequencies of peridip loid DNA results in receptor positive tumours. A significant relationship b ecame manifest between DNA ploidy and Ki-67 index showing high frequencies of non-peridiploid DNA patterns in tumours with Ki-67 index >20% (P < 0.01) . There was a strong correlation (P < 0.001) between DNA ploidy and histopa thologic grading, while tumour size and lymph node status were nor correlat ed to DNA ploidy. Conclusions: The results of our study on invasive breast carcinoma demonstrate that DNA ploidy measured by image analysis is predomi nantly associated with markers of cell differentiation. Preliminary outcome data reveal a risk-indicating potential of DNA ploidy primarily in cases w ith favourable results for other prognostic factors.