DNA ploidy and pS(2) protein expression in breast cancer

The DNA content of ductal breast carcinomas of varying histological grade was measured using static image cytometry and correlated with pS(2) expression in the tumour cells. Our study was performed on imprint of surgical biopsies of 60 women with ductal breast cancer. A statistically significant difference was observed between pS(2)(+) expression and grade of malignancy (P<0.001). The percentage of euploid tumours significantly decreased from grade I to grade II to grade III (P=0.01). The percentage of aneuploid tumours increased from pS(2)(+) to pS(2)(-) breast tumours (P<0.001). These findings may be indicative of pS(2) and DNA ploidy alterations and tumour aggressiveness.