Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in human breast cancer depends on tumor grade

• Published in: Breast cancer research and treatment 1999-07, Vol.56 (2), p.145-151
• Main Authors: TSCHUGGUEL, W, SCHNEEBERGER, C, UNFRIED, G, CZERWENKA, K, WENINGER, W, MILDNER, M, GRUBER, D. M, SATOR, M. O, WALDHÖR, T, HUBER, J. C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Breast - enzymology; Breast - pathology; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - enzymology; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cancer research; Cancer therapies; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - enzymology; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast - pathology; Enzyme Induction; Fibrocystic Breast Disease - enzymology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Nitric Oxide Synthase - biosynthesis; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Staining and Labeling; Tumors
• ISSN: 0167-6806; 1573-7217
• DOI: 10.1023/a:1006288526311

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by tumor cells has been suggested to abrogate metastasis in several tumor models, whereas constitutive NOS expression correlated positively with tumor grade in human breast carcinoma. Whether or not expression of one of the various NOS isoforms could predict the prognosis of breast cancer, however, has not been established. In the present report we investigated the cellular distribution of NOS isoforms in a series of benign and malignant breast tumors and in normal breast tissue. Immunohistochemistry revealed that in samples of benign disease the number of iNOS+ epithelial cells or total epithelial cells was 69+/-16% (n = 50). In samples of grade II invasive ductal breast carcinomas the number of iNOS+ tumor cells or total tumor cells was 62+/-20% (n = 40), compared to 12+/-9% (n = 40) in samples of grade III carcinomas (P