Cell proliferation in feline normal, hyperplastic and neoplastic mammary tissue – an immunohistochemical study

The expression of a proliferation cell marker in neoplastic and non-neoplastic mammary tissue in 31 cats was assessed by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples using a monoclonal antibody against nuclear antigen Ki-67 (MIB-1). The results revealed that cell proliferation was more intense in hyperplastic than in normal mammary tissue. Carcinomas exhibited a higher MIB-1 index than benign tumours. There was also a positive correlation between proliferative activity and the histological grade of carcinomas. Fibroadenomatous change, which is considered to be hyperplastic and associated with favourable biological behaviour, exhibited high proliferative activity involving both epithelial and mesenchymal components. MIB-1 detected in formalin-fixed material with pre-treatment with antigen retrieval solution appeared to be a reliable marker of proliferation in feline mammary tumours, but further studies are needed to investigate the value of this proliferation marker in predicting clinical outcome and/or as a prognostic factor in feline mammary lesions.