Number and distribution of CD44~+/CD24~- cells in different type of breast tissues

Purpose To examine the quantity and the distribution of CD44+/CD24-cells in breast normal tissue(NT),fibroadenoma(FA)and invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC) and to investigate the function of the cells in breast carcinogenesis.Methods Double staining immunohistochemistry of CD44 and CD24 was performed on 30 cases of NTs,30 FAs,and 60 IDCs.Results In normal breast tissue and FAs,three phenotypes were observed including CD44+/CD24+,CD44+/CD24-,and CD44-/CD24-.In the IDCs,CD44-/CD24+ was detected beside the three aforementioned phenotypes.The proportions with lowest score(-,incidence 1%)of CD44+/CD24-were decreased(40.0%→36.7%→35.0%),but the proportions with highest score(▲,incidence 60%)of CD44+/CD24-were increased(0.0→6.7%→21.7%)from normal breast tissue,FAs to IDCs.Conclusions The CD44+/CD24-may be a marker for certain progenitor cells,which are involved in the differentiation of normal breast and the pathogenesis of breast tumors.