Ulex Europeus Agglutinin (UEA-I) lectin binding in breast carcinoma and its relationship to prognostic factors

• Published in: Annals of Saudi medicine 1996-09, Vol.16 (5), p.509-511
• Main Authors: Erhan, Y, Alkanat, M B, Akyildiz, M, Icoz, G, Yilmaz, R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0256-4947; 0975-4466
• DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.1996.509

In this study, lectin binding was compared with pathological prognostic factors and clinical follow-up details. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 43 cases of breast carcinoma were studied for binding with Ulex Europeus Agglutinin (UEA-I) lectin. Staining results were compared with tumor size, histologic and nuclear grade, lymph node status (number, capsular and pericapsular invasion), blood and lymphatic vessel invasion, ER and PR status, clinical stage and the patients' short-term follow-up details. Analysis of staining with UEA-I showed a significant relationship with blood vessel invasion (P < 0.01) and lymphatic vessel invasion (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PR showed a significant inverse correlation with lectin binding (P < 0.05). Staining with UEA-I related significantly with axilliary lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). UEA-I was positive in four (66.6%) out of six cases with distant organ mestastasis. This study confirms that, in breast cancer, lectin binding to the cancer cells can be a reliable indicator for axilliary metastases, and the need for additional therapeutic interventions.