P53 Expression in Breast Carcinoma Clinicopathological Correlation and Prognostic Significance

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: p53 is a tumor suppressor gene with an inhibitory effect on cellular
proliferation and transformation via phosphorylation of different sites. Mutations of p53 are
estimated to occur in up to half of all human cancers and in approximately 20-30% of
breast cancers. p53 mutation results in expression of more stable, non-functioning mutant
form that accumulate in nucleus and can be detected by immunohistochemistry. Potential
correlations between p53 mutation and behavior breast cancer have been described, it
was shown that p53 gene mutations were associated with very aggressive cancers.
Furthermore, the presence of p53 mutations in plasma DNA is strongly correlated with
clinicopathological parameters and is a significant prognostic factor.
Objectives: To estimate p53 expression in breast carcinomas in the studied sample and
to assess its immunohistochemical score status in term of accepted conventional
clinicopathological parameters.
Methods: This is case-series study was carried out on 86 breast carcinoma specimens.
Patient’s age and family history of malignancy were taken. Histopathological examination
was performed, tumor grading was evaluated, the stage of the tumor including its size was
carried out and axillary lymph nodes assessed to evaluate the extent of the tumor.
Representative sections used to assess the p53 status by immunohistochemical staining
sets correlating with various clinicaopathological parameters were performed
Results: p53 was detected immunohistochemically in 50 cases out of 86 (58.1%) of
invasive ductal carcinoma. Positive statistical correlations of p53 expression were noted
with both family history of malignancy and axillary lymph nodes involvements. There was
no statistical correlation seen between p53 expression and patients age, tumor grade,
tumor size and tumor stage.
Conclusion: The frequency of p53 expression in breast cancers is high in present study
compared with that of western world with significant correlation regarding family history of
malignancy and axillary lymph node involvement. Therefore, detection of p53 expression
may have prognostic significance in that of reflects the tendency of lymphatic metastasis
of breast cancer.