Quantum-dot-based immunofluorescent imaging of HER2 and ER provides new insights into breast cancer heterogeneity

Nanotechnology. 2010 Mar 5;21(9):095101. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/9/095101. Epub 2010 Jan 29.

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous tumor, and better understanding of its heterogeneity is essential to improving treatment effect. Quantum dot (QD)-based immunofluorescent nanotechnology (QD-IHC) for molecular pathology has potential advantages in delineating tumor heterogeneity. This potential is explored in this paper by QD-IHC imaging of HER2 and ER. BC heterogeneity can be displayed more clearly and sensitively by QD-IHC than conventional IHC in BC tissue microarrays. Furthermore, the simultaneous imaging of ER and HER2 might help understand their interactions during the process of evolution of heterogeneous BC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Female
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique / methods*
  • Genetic Heterogeneity*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
  • Tissue Array Analysis

Substances

  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2