Bivariate RNA and DNA content analysis in breast carcinoma: biological significance of RNA content.

Flow cytometric studies of mammary carcinoma have been limited to DNA content analysis. Simultaneous analysis of DNA and RNA has been applied to hematological and certain solid neoplasms and has been shown to provide valuable information in the clinical assessment of these tumors. To determine whether measuring RNA content during flow cytometric analysis provides additional information in the clinical assessment of breast carcinoma, dual-parameter analysis of DNA and RNA content on freshly disaggregated breast carcinoma specimens was performed. RNA content, divided along the mean (1.6), correlated with tumor grade, histological type, hormonal status, and patient survival. DNA aneuploidy was noted in 247 (69.2%) neoplasms and correlated significantly with tumor grade and stage but not with clinical outcome. The proliferative fraction, defined as S + G2-M and dichotomized along the mean value (10%), correlated significantly with tumor grade, size, hormonal status, lymph node involvement, and survival. Cox's proportional hazard analysis revealed that RNA content, proliferative fraction, and tumor stage are independent prognostic indicators. Our results indicate that measurement of cellular RNA content provides additional biological information that may be useful in the clinical assessment of breast carcinoma.