Protein expression analysis of ALCAM and CEACAM6 in breast cancer metastases reveals significantly increased ALCAM expression in metastases of the skin

• Published in: Journal of clinical pathology Vol. 64; no. 2; pp. 146 - 152
• Main Authors: Ihnen, Maike, Kilic, Ergin, Köhler, Nadine, Löning, Thomas, Witzel, Isabell, Hagel, Christian, Höller, Sylvia, Kersten, Jan F, Müller, Volkmar, Jänicke, Fritz, Milde-Langosch, Karin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Association of Clinical Pathologists 01.02.2011; BMJ Publishing Group; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: adhesion molecule; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; ALCAM; Antigens, CD - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Neoplasms - metabolism; Bone Neoplasms - secondary; Brain Neoplasms - metabolism; Brain Neoplasms - secondary; breast cancer metastasis; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; CEACAM6; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal - metabolism; Female; Fetal Proteins - metabolism; GPI-Linked Proteins - metabolism; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Liver Neoplasms - metabolism; Liver Neoplasms - secondary; Lung Neoplasms - metabolism; Lung Neoplasms - secondary; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Proteins - metabolism; Pathology. Cytology. Biochemistry. Spectrometry. Miscellaneous investigative techniques; skin metastasis; Skin Neoplasms - metabolism; Skin Neoplasms - secondary; Tumors; Mammary gland diseases; Anatomic pathology; Breast disease; Cell adhesion molecule; Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule; Breast cancer; Skin; Malignant tumor; Metastasis; Cancer
• ISSN: 0021-9746; 1472-4146; 1472-4146
• DOI: 10.1136/jcp.2010.082602

AimsFor prediction and understanding of underlying mechanisms of organ-specific metastases, various gene and protein expression signatures have been identified in primary breast carcinomas. These expression signatures often include several genes coding for adhesion molecules, such as activated leucocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM/CD166) and carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6), both of which may play an important role in the development of distant metastases because of their adherent properties. Owing to their predominantly membranous localisation, they are also considered to have certain therapeutic potential. Apart from expression data obtained in the primary tumour, data for gene and protein expression patterns in distant breast cancer metastases are rare. Therefore this study focuses on analysing the distribution of ALCAM and CEACAM6 protein expression in breast cancer metastases from different sites.MethodsImmunohistochemical staining for ALCAM and CEACAM6 in 117 breast cancer metastases derived from liver (n=24), lung (n=19), brain (n=21), bone (n=36) and skin (n=17) was performed.ResultsImmunoreactive scores (IRS) for ALCAM in all metastases except skin metastases ranged from 2.63 to 5.10 (membranous) and 2.79 to 3.67 (cytoplasmic), showing a positive correlation with each other (r=0.690, p<0.001). In skin metastases, ALCAM expression was significantly stronger (membranous IRS, 8.76; cytoplasmic IRS, 7.12; p<0.001). Mean staining intensity for CEACAM6 was IRS 3.88. No or weak CEACAM6 and ALCAM staining (IRS 0–3) was seen in 53% vs 27% of all metastases.ConclusionsCompared with CEACAM6, ALCAM showed significantly stronger protein expression in breast cancer skin metastases compared with metastases in all other sites.