p53 Gene alterations and p53 protein accumulation in infiltrating ductal breast carcinomas: correlation between immunohistochemical and molecular biology techniques.
One hundred and eighty-eight infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast were examined immunohistochemically (IMM) for p53, and the results were compared to those of single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Of the 65 IMM+ cases (35%), 32 showed a genetic alteration in exons 5 to 9. In some of the IMM+ SSCP- cases, the number of 53+ cells in the tumor was too low to be detected by SSCP. Cases with only a few p53+ cells must not necessarily be considered negative, because a genetic alteration has been found in nine such cases. However, in a few cases, the accumulation of p53 protein could be caused by a factor other than mutation. Of the 123 IMM- cases, six showed gene polymorphism. p53 phenotype, as established with three monoclonal antibodies, did not correlate with genetic alteration in a particular exon. p53 IMM+ or SSCP+ tumors were generally ER-, grade III tumors and were uncommon in women older than 69 yr of age. The two methods have almost the same prognostic value. The accumulation of p53 protein is a good indicator of p53 mutation and therefore, immunohistochemistry remains a good method for the detection of such mutations.
Hurlimann
J
J
Department of Pathology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.
Chaubert
P
P
Benhattar
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001483:Base Sequence; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D005091:Exons; D005260:Female; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53