p27 Expression, a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor in breast carcinoma.
p27 KIP1 is a cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor, which may act as a potential suppressor gene. Several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that reduced p27 KIP1 expression is related to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Low immunohistochemical expression of p27 KIP1 in human neoplasm seems related to tumor progression and poor prognosis. In breast cancer, low p27 is associated with high tumour grade and loss of oestrogen receptor, and it has been suggested that low p27 KIP1 is a powerful and independent prognostic marker of poor clinical outcome. There are however some discrepant results: a few studies, some of which conducted on large series of patients, do not support an independent role of p27 KIP1 as a prognostic marker. We are indeed faced with an intriguing hypothesis, but many more studies are needed to evaluate the real value of p27 KIP1 as a prognostic marker.
Department of Pathology, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento, Italy. barbareschi@tn.aziendasanitaria.trentino.it.
M
M
Barbareschi
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases