p63 expression in normal, hyperplastic and malignant breast tissues.
BACKGROUND
p63 is a homologue of the p53 tumor suppressor gene and its protein is selectively expressed in the basal cells of a variety of epithelial tissues. It has recently been confirmed that p63 is expressed in the basal cells of normal prostate glands but not in prostatic carcinomas. Whether expression of p63 in breast correlates with tumor progression is the focus of this study.


METHODS
Forty cases, which all contained normal breast tissue, ductal hyperplasia, ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma in the same patient were included in this investigation using an indirect immunohistochemical method and double staining.


RESULTS
p63 was exclusively expressed in the myoepithelial cells of normal breast, partially expressed in ductal hyperplasia, rarely expressed in carcinoma in situ and not expressed in invasive carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest an association between loss of p63 expression and progression of breast ductal carcinoma. p63 immunostaining might be of assistance for distinguishing invasive ductal carcinoma from ductal carcinoma in situ or rare questionable ductal hyperplastic lesions, leading to correct therapy clinically.
Department of Pathology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-0012, Japan. wang-xj@wakayama-med.ac.jp
Xiaojuan
X
Wang
Ichiro
I
Mori
Weihua
W
Tang
Misa
M
Nakamura
Yasushi
Y
Nakamura
Misako
M
Sato
Takeo
T
Sakurai
Kennichi
K
Kakudo
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D046508:Culture Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011336:Probability; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity