Expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki-67, p53 and BCL-2 proteins, cathepsin D, urokinase plasminogen activator and urokinase plasminogen activator-receptors in carcinomas of the female breast in an African population.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of oestrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR), Ki-67, p53, bcl-2 proteins and the proteolytic enzymes cathepsin D (CD), urokinase-plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPA-R) in primary carcinomas of the breast from indigenous Tanzanian female patients by immunohistochemistry.


METHODS
Prospective cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.


METHODS
Sixty patients admitted between 1995 and 1997.


RESULTS
Markers were found to be expressed as follows: ER (33.3%), PgR (18.3%), p53 (30%), bcl-2 (43.5%) and the median proliferation rate of Ki-67 was 15%. Proportion of tumours positive for ER, PgR and bcl-2 initially decreased to 12 months disease duration, after which it increased. The observed proliferation rate approaches that reported in developed countries. p53 expression did not influence the proliferation rate nor did bcl-2 expression. ER, PgR and bcl-2 were strongly co-expressed. CD was predominantly expressed in stromal macrophages than in cancer cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The low expression of ER and PgR and their strong co-expression with bcl-2 might negatively influence response to hormonal therapy. The influence of bcl-2 on tumour response to anti-cancer therapy in patients with long disease duration requires urgent clarification. Determination of CD in stromal macrophages rather than in cancer cells may have greater prognostic significance in patients of this region.
Mbonde
M P
MP
Department of Pathology, Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 65002, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Amir
H
H
Akslen
L A
LA
Kitinya
J N
JN
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002402:Cathepsin D / Q000378:metabolism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000378:metabolism
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C524898:PLAUR protein, human; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D055293:Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator; D002402:Cathepsin D