E-钙黏附蛋白和p120-连环素蛋白在乳腺浸润性小叶癌和导管癌中的表达差异及意义

目的 比较乳腺浸润性小叶癌(ILC)和浸润性导管癌(IDC)的临床病理学特征,探讨E-钙黏附蛋白(E-cadherin)和p120-连环素蛋白(p120-catenin)在ILC和IDC中的表达差异及意义.方法 中国医学科学院肿瘤医院1999年1月至2006年12月共收治ILC 123例,2000年收治IDC 334例.运用组织微阵列及免疫组织化学染色技术,对123例ILC和334例IDC患者的组织蜡块进行切片,并进行E-cadherin和p120-catenin表达的检测,同时对患者进行随访.结果 ILC和IDC患者的5年无瘤生存率(DFS)分别为61.8%和83.7%(P＜0.001),5年总生存率(OS)分别为81.7%和79.1%(P=0.055).在36例ILC和221例IDC患者中,E-cadherin表达缺失率分别为55.6%(20/36)和20.4%(45/221,P＜0.001),p120-catenin胞浆表达率分别为66.7%(24/36)和16.3%(36/221,P＜0.001).在ILC患者中,p120-catenin胞浆表达与E-cadherin表达缺失相关(P=0.002).ILC和IDC患者中,p120-catenin胞浆表达合并E-cadherin表达缺失的比率分别为55.6%(20/36)和4.1%(9/221,P＜0.001).结论 ILC具有不同于IDC的临床病理学特点及预后特征,E-cadherin和p120-catenin的检测有助于ILC和IDC的鉴别诊断.     

乳腺癌超声诊断与雌激素受体表达间的关系

 目的 探讨雌激素受体（ER）在乳腺浸润性导管癌（IDC）和浸润性小叶癌（ILC）中的表达与超声征象、腋窝淋巴结转移、月经状况之间的关系。方法 对118例IDC和ILC患者术前检查的超声征象与ER表达进行对照分析。结果 118例IDC和ILC患者中，具有毛刺征、后方声衰减征象之一者，肿块ER阳性率显著高于不具有上述征象的肿块（χ2 = 8.1840，P＜0.01；χ2 = 15.2018 8，P＜0.01）；有微钙化组ER阳性率比无微钙化组略高，但差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）；而肿块大小、腋窝有无淋巴结转移及绝经前后之间，ER阳性表达差异无统计学意义（χ2 = 0.3185，P＞0.05）。结论 乳腺IDC和乳腺ILC二维超声征象可在一定程度上反映ER表达水平     

乳腺浸润性导管癌中Paxillin和Caspase-3蛋白的表达及临床意义

  目的  探讨桩蛋白（Paxillin）和天冬氨酸特异性半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（Caspase-3）在乳腺浸润性导管癌（IDC）中的表达及其与乳腺浸润性导管癌（IDC）患者临床病理因素的关系。   方法  采用免疫组化检测术中切除的原发性乳腺浸润性导管癌（IDC）和距癌灶约5 cm处正常乳腺组织中Paxillin和Caspase-3的表达,统计学分析两者间及其与乳腺浸润性导管癌（IDC）病理特征的关系。   结果  Paxillin在IDC组的表达高于正常乳腺组织组,差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）;Caspase-3在IDC组的表达低于正常乳腺组织组,差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。在IDC组中,Paxillin的表达与Her-2状态相关,2种蛋白的表达与乳腺IDC的淋巴结转移及组织学分级相关,2种蛋白在IDC中的表达呈负相关（r=-0.32,P=0.013）。   结论  Paxillin和Caspase-3的的异常表达在乳腺浸润性导管癌（IDC）的发生、发展中可能起着重要的作用,且与乳腺浸润性导管癌（IDC）的浸润转移密切相关。      

乳腺不同病变组织中erbB4的表达及意义

目的　研究erbB4在乳腺不同病变组织中的表达及意义。方法　采用免疫组织化学SP法 ,检测了 3 9例乳腺浸润性导管癌(invasiveductalcarcinoma ,IDC) ,5例纤维腺瘤和 9例小叶增生组织中erbB4蛋白的表达情况。结果　乳腺IDC中erbB4蛋白的阳性表达率为 82 1% ,显著高于纤维腺瘤 (2 0 % )和小叶增生 (4 4 4% ) (P <0 0 5 ) ;乳腺IDC中erbB4蛋白表达情况与淋巴结转移无关 (P>0 0 5 )。结论　erbB4蛋白可能在乳腺IDC的发生中起着促进作用。     

E-cadherin在乳腺浸润性导管癌中的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨E-钙黏蛋白（E-cad）在乳腺浸润性导管癌中的表达及其与乳腺癌临床病理特征、淋巴结转移及预后的关系。方法 采用免疫组织化学 SP 法检测30例乳腺纤维腺瘤、450例乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中E-cad的表达,分析其表达与临床病理特征的关系, Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线。结果E-cad在无淋巴结转移乳腺癌组织中阳性表达率为49.04％（77／157）,在有淋巴结转移的乳腺癌组织中阳性表达率为29.69％（87／293）,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。E-cad表达与年龄、淋巴结转移、肿块大小、ER表达、分子分型及组织学分级有关（P＜0.05）,而与肿瘤分期、是否绝经、HER-2及Ki-67表达情况无关。乳腺癌淋巴结转移组、三阴性乳腺癌组中E-cad阳性表达者5年生存率优于E-cad阴性表达者,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 E-cad表达与乳腺癌淋巴结转移关系密切,其亦可成为乳腺癌伴淋巴结转移者或三阴性乳腺癌预后的判断指标。     

STAT3在乳腺浸润性导管癌中表达水平与临床病理特征相关性研究

  目的  评价信号传导活化因子3（STAT3）在乳腺浸润性导管癌中表达情况及与临床病理指标的相关性。  方法  利用免疫组织化学方法检测具有完整临床病理资料的129例乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中STAT3表达情况, Chi-squire分析进行单因素相关分析, Logistic回归进行多因素相关分析, Multinomial logistic分析证实与浸润性导管癌组织中STAT3表达最为密切的因素, 线性回归定量分析STAT3与临床病理指标相关密切程度。  结果  单因素Chi-squire分析显示年龄、T分期、N分期、TNM分期、Ki-67表达、VEGF-C表达和VEGF-D表达与浸润性导管癌组织中STAT3表达相关; 多因素Logistic回归分析显示VEGF-C表达、VEGF-D表达、N分期和手术时年龄是影响STAT3在浸润性导管癌组织中表达的独立相关因素; Multinomial logistic分析证实VEGF-D具有最小的AIC和BIC值, 应视为对于STAT3表达的最密切影响因素; Spearman分析和线性回归分析发现STAT3在癌组织中表达水平与VEGF-D表达水平呈显著线性相关。  结论  STAT3在乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中表达与VEGF-D表达明显相关, 可能是促进乳腺浸润性导管癌淋巴结转移的机制之一。      

原发性胆囊癌中ILK和E-cad的表达及意义

  目的  研究整合素连接激酶(integrin-linked kinase,ILK)和E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin,E-cad)在原发性胆囊癌中的表达及相互关系,探讨二者表达与胆囊癌临床生物学行为的关系。  方法  应用免疫组织化学S-P法检测48例胆囊腺癌、25例胆囊腺瘤和25例慢性胆囊炎组织中ILK和E-cad的表达情况,结合患者临床病理资料进行分析,并探讨二者间表达的相关性。  结果  胆囊癌组织中ILK阳性表达率为66.7%(32/48)明显高于胆囊腺瘤组36.0%(9/25)和慢性胆囊炎组24.0%(6/25);而E-cad阳性表达率为45.8%(22/48)则明显降低(均P < 0.05);随着胆囊癌的浸润深度增加和淋巴结转移发生,ILK阳性表达显著升高,而E-cad则显著降低(均P < 0.05);胆囊癌组织中ILK与E-cad表达呈负相关(r= -0.411,P < 0.05)。  结论  ILK、E-cad与胆囊癌侵袭、转移等生物学行为密切相关,二者表达呈负相关。联合检测二者有助于判断胆囊癌的发展趋势及评估预后。      

乳腺浸润性导管癌和浸润性小叶癌细胞粘附分子与雌、孕激素受体表达及意义

目的：探讨乳腺浸润性导管癌（invasive ductal carcinoma,IDC)和浸润性小叶癌（invasive lobular carcinomaILC)组织中细胞粘附分子和雌、孕激素受体（estrogen receptor,ER:progesterone receptor,PR)表达的意义。E -α-catenin,--catenin,γ-catenin和ER、PR的表达。结果：E-cadherin在IDC和ILC中表达缺失和明显减少的分别占18.7%和30%,α-catenin,β-catenin,γ-catenin在IDC中表达缺失和明显减少的分别为75%,43.8%和明显的正相关性;γ-catenin在乳腺浸润性癌中的表达缺失和明显减少与淋巴结转移病例之间有显著的关系。ER和PR在IDC中表达有明显的正相关性。结论：除E-cadherin外,α-catenin,β-catenin,γ-catenin在乳腺浸润性导管癌和浸润性小叶癌中表达明显缺失和减少。γ-catenin表达缺失和明显减少可作为乳腺浸润性癌伴有淋巴结转移的一个预后指标。ER、PR与E-cadherin,α-catenin,β-catenin,γ-catenin可能是乳腺浸润性癌两类独立的预后指标。     

p57KIP2、cyclin E在乳腺浸润性导管癌中的表达及意义

目的检测p57KIP2、cyclin E蛋白在乳腺浸润性导管癌(IDC)中的表达,探讨它们在乳腺癌发生、发展中的作用.方法采用免疫组织化学SP法检测64例IDC、15例乳腺导管内癌(DCIS)、15例癌旁正常乳腺组织中p57KIP2、cyclin E蛋白的表达情况.结果p57KIP2、cyclin E蛋白在IDC与DCIS、IDC与癌旁正常组织中阳性表达之间,cyclin E蛋白在DCIS与癌旁正常组织中阳性表达之间差异均有显著性(P≤0.05,P＜0.01).在IDC中,p57KIP2、cyclin E蛋白阳性表达均与腋窝淋巴结转移相关(P＜0.01,P≤0.05),与患者年龄无关(P＞0.05);cyclin E蛋白阳性表达与肿块大小有关(P＜0.01);p57KIP2与cyclin E之间阳性表达呈负相关(P＜0.01).结论p57KIP2蛋白低表达、cyclin E蛋白高表达可能是乳腺组织恶性转变以及乳腺癌发生淋巴结转移的重要生物学标志,cyclin E蛋白的异常表达是乳腺癌发生的早期事件.联合检测p57KIP2、cyclin E对预测乳腺癌淋巴结转移有临床意义.     

乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中P33/ING1和HIF-1α的表达及分析

目的探讨P33/ING1和HIF-1α在乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中的表达及其临床意义。方法采用免疫组织化学SP法检测68例乳腺浸润性导管癌及20例乳腺良性病变(乳腺纤维腺瘤)组织中P33/ING1和HIF-1α的表达,并结合临床病理特点进行分析。结果P33/ING1在乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中的阳性表达率为60.29%,明显低于乳腺良性病变中的表达率95% (P<0.01);P33/ING1阳性表达与乳腺浸润性导管癌肿瘤大小、腋窝淋巴结转移、组织学分级呈负相关(P均<0.05)。HIF-1α在乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中的阳性表达率为52.94%,明显高于乳腺良性病变中的表达率10%(P<0.01);HIF-1α的阳性表达与乳腺浸润性导管癌腋窝淋巴结转移、组织学分级呈正相关(P均<0.05)。乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中P33/ING1与HIF-1α的表达呈显著负相关(r=-0.283,P<0.05)。结论乳腺浸润性导管癌组织中P33/ING1表达下调而HIF-1α表达明显增强,两者与乳腺浸润性导管癌临床病理特征密切相关,对两者进行联合检测,有可能反映乳腺浸润性导管癌生物学行为的指标。     

E-Cadherin Expression Correlates With Histologic Type But Not Tumour Grade in Invasive Breast Cancer

The traditional classification of infiltrating breast carcinomas into ductal and lobular can be diagnosticallychallenging in a small proportion of cases with equivocal histological features and in in-situ lesions withoverlapping features. Distinguishing between the infiltrating ductal (IDC) and lobular (ILC) carcinomas isclinically important because of the different pattern of systemic metastases and prognostic evaluation. E-cadherinis a potentially useful immunohistochemical marker which may serve to differentiate between the two tumourtypes. We therefore studied E-cadherin expression in 32 cases of breast carcinomas comprising 16 IDCs and 16ILCs. The correlation between E-cadherin expression and the histological grade of IDCs was also analysed. Ourresults showed complete loss of E-cadherin expression in all ILCs, while the IDCs consistently showed variableE-cadherin positivity. No significant correlation was found between E-cadherin expression and the histologicalgrade of IDCs. We conclude from this study that E-cadherin is a useful marker to differentiate between IDCand ILC of the breast. A larger study of IDCs is now needed to further evaluate the correlation between Ecadherinand tumour grade to estimate its prognostic potential.     

Expression of E-cadherin/catenin complexes in breast cancer

Expression of E-cadherin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenins were studied in 100 patients with primary breast cancer compiled of 57 invasive ductal carcinomas (IDC) and 43 invasive lobular carcinomas (ILC) by means of immunohistochemistry. Loss of E-cadherin was observed in 26 (45.6%), and alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin expression was lacking in 22 (38.6%), 27 (47.4%) and 22 (38.6%) IDCs, respectively. The expression in ILCs was significantly lower, as compared to IDCs (p<0.001). Immunostaining of both E-cadherin and catenins was completely lacking in 27 (47.4%) IDCs and 30 (93.8%) ILCs. Go-expression of E-cadherin/beta-catenin or E-cadherin/gamma-catenin was preserved more frequently than that of E-cadherin/alpha-catenin complexes. E-cadherin/catenin complex expression showed significant positive correlation with histological differentiation (p=0.037), ER (p=0.017) and PR expression (p=0.052), and negative correlation with c-erbB-2 receptor overexpression (p=0.046). Patients with tumours showing adhesion complexes containing alpha-catenin had an increased overall survival rate compared to other patients. Expression of either E-cadherin or alpha-catenin only, without the formation of entire adhesion complexes, was not correlated with overall survival. Thus, determination of both E-cadherin and catenins is suggested to add further information to estimate the prognosis of breast cancer patients.     

A comparison of cell cycle markers in well-differentiated lobular and ductal carcinomas

Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) are similar in many respects and their histologic features occasionally overlap. Despite the many similarities, some clinical follow-up data and the patterns of metastasis suggest that ILC and IDC are biologically distinct. Unfortunately, most breast cancer research has focused almost exclusively on the ductal subtype or has not stressed the biologic or molecular genetic distinctions between breast carcinoma subtypes. Several reports have suggested the possibility that ILCs and IDCs differ with respect to expression of antigens involved in proliferation and cell cycle regulation. Therefore, we undertook an immunohistochemical evaluation of cell cycle related antigens in ILCs, including histologic variants thought to represent aggressive neoplasms, and IDCs matched for histologic grade (Modified Bloom–Richardson Grade I). We believe that different antigent expression profiles could elucidate the biological distinctiveness of breast carcinoma subtypes and possibly provide diagnostically relevant information. We studied the expression of the following antigents in 28 archived, formalin-fixed ILCs and 34 well-differentiated IDCs: estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), Her 2-neu, mib-1, cyclin D1, p27, p53, mdm-2 and bcl-2. 94% of ILCs and 100% of IDCs expressed ER; 75% of ILCs and 76% of IDCs expressed PR; 4% of ILCs and 13% of IDCs expressed c cerb B-2; ILCs and IDCs both expressed mib-1 in approximately 10% of lesional cells; 82% of ILCs and 54% of IDCs expressed cyclin D1; 90% of ILCs and 83% IDCs expressed p27 strongly; 4% of ILCs and 4% of IDCs expressed p53, 25% of ILCs and 33% of IDCs expressed mdm-2; 96% of ILCs and 100% of IDCs expressed bcl-2. None of the apparent differences were statistically significant. The ILC variants demonstrated immunophenotypes that were essentially similar to ILCs of the usual type. We conclude that ILCs and well-differentiated IDCs show similar proliferation and cell cycle control antigen profiles. Despite their unusual histologic features, most ILC variants appear to maintain a characteristic ILC immunophenotype.     

Genetic alterations in lobular breast cancer by comparative genomic hybridization

Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) and infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) are distinguished by their histopathological appearance. However, little is known about the differences in genetic changes between lobular cancers and ductal cancers. We used comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) and compared aberrations in 19 ILCs and 46 IDCs. The total number of aberrations was lower in ILC than in IDC. While the average number of DNA copy number losses did not reach significance between them, copy number gains were significantly lower in ILCs. Fifteen of 19 ILCs (79%) showed increased copy number of 1q, and 12 cases (63%) revealed loss of 16q. The presence of these aberrations was independent of nodal status, histologic subtypes (pleomorphic or classic ILC), or BrdUrd-labeling index. ILCs had a higher frequency of 16q loss than did ductal cancers, and a lower frequency of 8q and 20q gains. Our data suggest that the altered growth pattern and clinical presentation which characterize infiltrating lobular cancers are correlated with distinct genetic alterations. Int. J. Cancer 74:513–517, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast has better short- and long-term survival than invasive ductal carcinoma.

The outcome and prognostic factors of 217 women with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) and those of 1121 women with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast were compared. The patients were followed up for 10-43 years. Women with ILC had axillary nodal metastases less frequently than those with IDC (43% vs 53%, P = 0.02), although there was no difference in the primary tumour size between the groups. ILCs were more frequently of low grade, had lower mitotic counts and had less tumour necrosis. Furthermore, ILCs had lower S-phase fractions and were more often DNA diploid in flow cytometric analysis than IDCs (P < 0.0001 for all comparisons). The 5- and 30-year corrected survival rates of women with ILC were 78% and 50%, respectively, compared with 63% and 37% for women with IDC (P = 0.001). Small pT1NOMO ILCs (n = 41) had 100% 10-year and 83% 20-year corrected survival rates. In a multivariate analysis, a large primary tumour size, the presence of axillary nodal metastases, a high mitotic count and the presence of tumour necrosis all had an independent prognostic value in ILC. We conclude that ILC is associated with better survival than IDC.     

Reproductive and anthropometric factors in relation to the risk of lobular and ductal breast carcinoma among women 65-79 years of age

Use of combined estrogen-progestin hormone replacement therapy appears to be associated with an increased risk of invasive lobular breast carcinomas (ILC) and, to a lesser degree, with risk of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). Conceivably, ILCs are more hormonally responsive and so may be more strongly associated than IDCs with reproductive and anthropometric characteristics that can influence hormone levels. However, few epidemiologic studies of breast cancer have evaluated these factors by histologic type. We conducted a population-based case-control study of women aged 65-79 years in western Washington State. Responses from 975 women diagnosed with breast cancer during 1997-1999 were compared to those of 1,007 controls. Associations between various reproductive and anthropometric factors and risks of IDC (n = 656) and ILC (n = 196) were evaluated using polytomous logistic regression. Earlier age at menarche, later age at menopause and obesity were more strongly associated with elevated risks of IDC than ILC. Alternatively, oral contraceptive use was associated with an increased risk of ILC but not IDC. Thus, the pattern of results that we observed suggest that factors influencing endogenous hormones and duration of ovarian function may be more strongly associated with IDC risk, while exogenous hormones may be more strongly associated with ILC risk.     

Lobular and ductal carcinomas of the breast have distinct genomic and expression profiles

Invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs) and invasive lobular carcinomas (ILCs) are the two major pathological types of breast cancer. Epidemiological and histoclinical data suggest biological differences, but little is known about the molecular alterations involved in ILCs. We undertook a comparative large-scale study by both array-compared genomic hybridization and cDNA microarray of a set of 50 breast tumors (21 classic ILCs and 29 IDCs) selected on homogeneous histoclinical criteria. Results were validated on independent tumor sets, as well as by quantitative RT-PCR. ILCs and IDCs presented differences at both the genomic and expression levels with ILCs being less rearranged and heterogeneous than IDCs. Supervised analysis defined a 75-BACs signature discriminating accurately ILCs from IDCs. Expression profiles identified two subgroups of ILCs: typical ILCs ( approximately 50%), which were homogeneous and displayed a normal-like molecular pattern, and atypical ILCs, more heterogeneous with features intermediate between ILCs and IDCs. Supervised analysis identified a 75-gene expression signature that discriminated ILCs from IDCs, with many genes involved in cell adhesion, motility, apoptosis, protein folding, extracellular matrix and protein phosphorylation. Although ILCs and IDCs share common alterations, our data show that ILCs and IDCs could be distinguished on the basis of their genomic and expression profiles suggesting that they evolve along distinct genetic pathways.     

Expression of DDR1 and DVL1 in Invasive Ductal and Lobular Breast Carcinoma does not Correlate with Histological Type,Grade and Hormone Receptor Status

Background: Invasive ductal (IDC) and lobular (ILC) carcinomas are the common histological types of breastcarcinoma which are difficult to distinguish when poorly differentiated. Discoidin domain receptor (DDR1) andDrosophila dishevelled protein (DVL1) were recently suggested to differentiate IDC from ILC. Objectives: Toassess the expression of DDR1 and DVL1 and their association with histological type, grading and hormonalstatus of IDC and ILC. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on IDC and ILC breasttumours. Tumours were immunohistochemically stained for (DDR1) and (DVL1) as well as estrogen receptor(ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and C-erbB2 receptor. Demographic data including age and ethnicity wereobtained from patient records. Results: A total of 51 cases (30 IDCs and 21 ILCs) were assessed. DDR1 andDVL1 expression was not significantly associated with histological type (p=0.57 and p=0.66 respectively). Therewas no association between DDR1 and DVL1 expression and tumour grade (p=0.32 and p=1.00 respectively),ER (p=0.62 and 0.50 respectively), PR (p=0.38 and p=0.63 respectively) and C-erbB2 expression (p=0.19 andp=0.33 respectively) in IDC. There was no association between DDR1 and DVL1 expression and tumour grade(p=0.52 and p=0.33 respectively), ER (p=0.06 and p=0.76 respectively), PR (p=0.61 and p=0.43 respectively) andC-erbB2 expression (p=0.58 and p=0.76 respectively) in ILC. Conclusions: This study revealed that DDR1 andDVL1 are present in both IDC and ILC regardless of the tumour differentiation. More studies are needed toassess the potential of these two proteins in distinguishing IDC from ILC in breast tumours.     

α-Parvin,a pseudopodial constituent,promotes cell motility and is associated with lymph node metastasis of lobular breast carcinoma

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is more frequently lymph node positive than is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and ILC cell infiltration shows distinctive histological characteristics, suggesting the action of ILC-specific invasion molecules. To identify such a molecule, we used a proteomic approach in the pseudopodia of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. A pseudopodial constituent was identified using excimer laser ablation, two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis, mass spectroscopy, and immunocytofluorescence. MDA-MB-231 cells were modified to express various levels of this constituent by transient transfection and were examined for pseudopodia formation and migratory abilities using wound healing and two-chamber assays. Immunohistochemical positivity of human breast cancer cells (56 ILCs and 21 IDCs) was compared with clinicopathological variables. An actin-binding adaptor protein, α-parvin, was found to localize to pseudopodia and to form focal adhesions in cells not induced to extend pseudopodia. Pseudopodial length and density and migratory abilities correlated with α-parvin expression. Twenty-one (37.5 %) ILCs stained positive for α-parvin, whereas the results were negative for all 21 IDCs (P < 0.001). α-Parvin positivity in ILC was significantly associated with lymphatic invasion (P = 0.038) and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.003) in univariate analyses and to lymph node metastasis (P = 0.020) in multivariate analyses. α-Parvin, a pseudopodial constituent, was found to promote migration of breast cancer cells and to be expressed exclusively by ILC, suggesting that α-parvin is an ILC-specific invasion molecule that may have clinical utility as a biomarker for aggressive subsets of ILC.