The prognostic value of the monoclonal antibodies HMFG1 and HMFG2 in breast cancer.

The monoclonal antibodies HMFG1 and HMFG2 identify antigens of the milk fat globule membrane which are also found on breast epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using both antibodies on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections of 93 breast carcinoma, 36 histologically benign lesions and 29 histologically normal breast tissue blocks. In both normal and benign breast disease the staining was largely extracellular whilst in malignant tissue the staining was variable and often intracellular. Nine carcinomas did not stain with either antibody. The staining patterns of malignant tissues were graded and no correlation was found between the grades and survival or indices of prognosis, (the oestrogen receptor status, Bloom's grade and the presence or absence of metastases to the axillary nodes.) This study indicates that with the present methods available for grading staining patterns, although of diagnostic value, these monoclonal antibodies are unlikely to assist in determining either the degree of tumour differentiation or prognosis in breast carcinoma.