Expression of telomerase genes in cancer development in atypical hyperplasia of the mammary duct.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate telomerase gene expression in precancerous mammary lesion, such as atypical ductal hyperplasia and breast cancer and to study the relationship between expression and malignant transformation.


METHODS
Expression of human telomerase genes (hTR) and human reverse transcriptase gene (hTRT) in 76 cases of mammary tissue was evaluated using in situ hybridization and included 50 cases of mammary hyperplasia, 6 of which were benign hyperplasia, 9 were mild atypical hyperplasia, 12 were moderate atypical hyperplasia, 23 were severe atypical hyperplasia and 26 were mammary cancer.


RESULTS
The expressions of hTR and hTRT mRNA were much weaker or negative in benign hyperplasia (16.6%, 0), weak to mild  moderate in atypical hyperplasia (22.2%, 11.1%, 33.3%, 25.0%), strong in severe atypical hyperplasia (60.9%, 52.1%), and significantly strong in mammary cancer (88.5%, 80.8%). The difference between mild-moderate atypical hyperplasia, invasive ductal carcinoma and severe atypical hyperplasia was significant (P < 0.05) and the difference between severe atypical hyperplasia and intraductal carcinoma was not significant (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Telomerase genes (hTR and hTRT) expressions are related to the transformation of atypical hyperplasia. Activated telomerase may play a role in mammary cancer development.
Song
Min
M
Department of Pathology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China.
Mi
Xiaoyi
X
Li
Bailin
B
Zhu
Jijiang
J
Gao
Yingxian
Y
Cui
Shuang
S
Song
Jiye
J
D001940:Breast / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C422952:telomerase RNA; D012313:RNA; D019098:Telomerase