ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the clinicopathologic characteristics of basal-like immunophenotype breast cancer (BLBC). METHODS: 458 cases of female infiltrative breast cancer were studied using immunohistochemical staining with an antibody panel of ER, PR, HER2, Ki-67, CK5/6, CK14 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and were classified basing on the immunophenotypes. The clinicopathologic characteristics were compared with other immunophenotypes of breast cancer. 228 of 458 cases of breast cancer were followed up. RESULTS: 46 cases of BLBC were screened out among the 458 breast cancers. And histological features of BLBC were analysed including the larger diameter of cancer foci (average 3.3 cm), appearance of squeezing phenomenon of neighboring cell borders (58.7%, 27/46), geography-like distribution of necrosis (52.2%, 24/46), central zone fibrosis (30.4%, 14/46) and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration at the margin and stroma (63.0%, 29/46). There were nuclear pleomorphism with numerous mitoses. The cancer cells were closely arranged, forming irregular solid architectures. There was a high expression (> 25%) of Ki-67 (43.5%, 20/46). CK5/6, CK14 and EGFR were positive in 58.7% (27/46), 43.5% (20/46) and 65.2% (30/46) respectively. 3-year survival rate of BLBC was 66.9%, lower than the luminal A breast cancer and similar to HER2 over-expression breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of BLBC in the group of breast cancers is 10%. BLBC has its distinct histological and cytological features. Currently, it is still necessary to depend on immunophenotyping in making a BLBC diagnosis. BLBC is the one of breast cancer subtypes with the poorest prognosis.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Breast Neoplasms/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Biomarkers, Tumor/immunology , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/immunology , Breast Neoplasms/metabolism , ErbB Receptors/analysis , ErbB Receptors/immunology , Female , Humans , Immunophenotyping/methods , Middle Aged , Prognosis , Receptor, ErbB-2/analysis , Receptor, ErbB-2/immunology , Receptors, Estrogen/analysis , Receptors, Estrogen/immunology , Receptors, Progesterone/analysis , Receptors, Progesterone/immunology , Survival RateABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To establish the validation method and criteria for counting bacteria and fungi in microbial limit test which is described in the Pharmacopeia of China (ChP) 2005. METHOD: According to the method set up for validation, the tested microorganisms with known counts were added to samples followed by the determination of the recovery. RESULT: With different preparing method for testing samples, the recoveries for the tested microorganisms in testing samples were found to be over 70%. CONCLUSION: Validation method for counting contaminated bacteria and fungi in drugs is recommended to follow the method established in this paper. The recovery for tested microorganisms should be not less than 70%.