Abstract
Aims: We have demonstrated previously that gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) and mammaglobin A (MAM) are of limited utility in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) is an emerging breast-associated immunohistochemical (IHC) marker with limited data in TNBC. Here, we examined GATA-3 expression in TNBC in comparison with GCDFP-15 and MAM. Methods and results: We studied GATA-3, GCDFP-15 and MAM IHC expression in 62 primary and 68 metastatic TNBCs. In primary TNBCs, GATA-3 staining was observed in 25 cases (40%), including 16 cases that were negative for GCDFP-15 and MAM. In metastatic TNBCs, GATA-3 staining was observed in 30 cases (44%), including 16 cases that were negative for GCDFP-15 and MAM. The expression frequency of any of the markers was 56% in primary and 62% in metastatic TNBCs. However, when focal staining was excluded, the expression frequency of any marker dropped to 31% and 44%, respectively. Conclusion: GATA-3 is expressed at a higher frequency by IHC in TNBC compared to GCDFP-15 and MAM, although the tissue specificity of the latter markers may be superior. When evaluating a triplenegative tumour, including GATA-3 in a panel of markers may increase the diagnostic accuracy for tissue origin in the appropriate clinical setting.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 245-254 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Histopathology |
Volume | 67 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- GATA-3
- GCDFP-15
- Immunohistochemistry
- Mammaglobin
- Squamous
- Triple-negative
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Histology