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Immunohistochemical and cytogenetic characterization of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of the breast

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Abstract

Primary acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC) of the breast is a rare and aggressive variant of invasive breast cancer. Here we report two new cases of ASCC and their immunohistochemical and cytogenetic characterization. One case was associated with systemic metastases and death and the other with local failure prior to loss of follow-up. Using comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), both tumors showed a high overall number of chromosomal imbalances with a similar pattern of gains and losses. Genetic aberrations common to both tumors included losses at 3p11-p25, 5q21-q31, 8p, 9, 13p13-q21, 16q12-q21, and 17p and gains at 1q31-qter, 7p, 18q12-qter, 19q, and 20. Immunohistochemically, the tumors were characterized by high proliferative activity, an uncommon cytokeratin expression profile, reduced E-cadherin staining, and overexpression of p53 and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). The results of our analyses suggest that genetic alterations observed in ASCC of the breast include imbalances commonly observed in both mammary adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of other locations. Furthermore, the overexpressed EGFR could be a possible therapeutic target for individual cases of this aggressive tumor type.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Angelika Bönisch, Andrea Müller and Waltraud Schmitz for excellent technical assistance. We would also like to express particular appreciation to Dr. Rosemary R. Millis (Hedley Atkins/Cancer Research UK Breast Pathology Laboratory, Guy’s Hospital, London, UK) who critically read the manuscript and provided many valuable comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, INF 220/221, 69120 , Heidelberg, Germany

    Sebastian Aulmann, Philipp A. Schnabel, Birgit Helmchen, Herwart F. Otto & Hans Peter Sinn

  2. Thoraxklinik Heidelberg, Amalienstraße 6, 69126 , Heidelberg, Germany

    Hendrik Dienemann & Peter Drings

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  1. Sebastian Aulmann
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  2. Philipp A. Schnabel
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  3. Birgit Helmchen
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  6. Herwart F. Otto
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  7. Hans Peter Sinn
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Correspondence to Sebastian Aulmann.

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Aulmann, S., Schnabel, P.A., Helmchen, B. et al. Immunohistochemical and cytogenetic characterization of acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. Virchows Arch 446, 305–309 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-004-1163-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-004-1163-5

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