Fibroblast Markers in Breast Carcinoma

<div><p>(A) Examples of SFT (<i>APOD</i> [ISH] and CD34 ) and DTF (<i>CTHRC1</i> [ISH] and <i>OSF2</i> [ISH]) expression in breast carcinoma stroma. Each panel shows expression of the marker that is restricted to the fibroblasts between neoplastic cells. Magnification = 600×.</p> <p>(B) Hierarchical clustering of 24 breast carcinomas based on TMA staining with fibroblast markers: CD34 (IHC), <i>APOD</i> (ISH), <i>CTHRC1</i> (ISH), and <i>OSF2</i> (ISH). Bright red represents high expression, dull red represents intermediate high expression, green represents negative expression, and white represents no data. The DTF-associated cluster is highlighted in blue. The SFT-associated cluster is highlighted in orange. Most breast carcinomas express either a DTF or SFT gene in the stromal fibroblasts. However, some breast carcinomas express a combination of DTF and SFT genes, and some express neither.</p>