Integrin expression in primary XXXX and its relation to axillary nodal status.

@entity1 @entity0 @entity1885 @entity31741 @entity5 @entity66 @entity3
BACKGROUND: Integrins are transmembrane receptors that modulate cell adhesion. Each is a heterodimer of varying alpha and beta subunits. In @entity5 , loss of integrin expression may result in less adhesive cells more likely to @entity3 . Our aim was to characterize the integrins in @entity1 breast tissue and to examine the relationship between integrin expression and nodal @entity3 in @entity0 . METHODS: Cryostat sections from 12 benign and 61 malignant (50 ductal and 11 lobular) samples were stained by the avidin- @entity1885 complex method with monoclonal antibodies to the beta 1, beta 3, beta 4, and @entity31741 subfamilies. All slides were read by two independent assessors with consensus agreement. Integrin expression was compared to variables by using the chi-squared test with Yates' correction and multivariate analysis based on logistic regression. RESULTS: All integrin subunits studied were significantly reduced on @entity0 compared with benign cells (chi-squared test) but were not related to @entity5 differentiation. Loss of alpha 1 beta 1, alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 6 beta 1, alpha v beta 1, and @entity31741 were related to the presence of axillary @entity3 . Independently the integrins were of limited clinical value as predictors of axillary spread. However, on multivariate analysis the combination of beta 1, alpha v, alpha 1, @entity5 size, and vascular invasion gave a cumulative overall accuracy in predicting @entity66 of 97%. CONCLUSIONS: Integrin expression is reduced in @entity0 and may explain @entity5 progression. Measuring the integrins might thus provide a means of selection for aggressive axillary treatment.
