[Significance of telomerase expression in diagnosis and treatment of breast tumor].
OBJECTIVE
It was reported that the activation of telomerase can turn normal cell into tumor cell. This study was designed to investigate the expression of telomerase in breast tumor and its value for early diagnosis and treatment.


METHODS
Telomerase expression in 178 breast tumor specimens was detected by using PCR-ELISA immunohistochemical method.


RESULTS
Positive expression rate of telomerase in primary breast carcinoma, precancerous lesion of breast, breast fiber tumor were 86.72% (111/128), 46.67% (7/15), and 26.66% (4/15), respectively. Negative expression of telomerase was shown in normal breast tissue and cystic hyperplasia tissue. Positive expression rate of telomerase in different clinical stage were 63.16% in stage I, 85.96% in stage II, 95.65% in stage III, 100% in stage IV, respectively. Positive expression rate of telomerase in the patients with and without positive axillary lymph node were 95.83% (69/72) and 75(42/56), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of telomerase was closely associated with clinical stages of breast cancer (P < 0.005) and metastases of axillary lymph node (P < 0.01). Special importance is that its expression was found in breast precancerous lesion, indicating its is significance in early diagnosis of breast cancer.
Qiu
Xiao-guang
XG
Handan Medical College, Handan 056002, P. R. China.
Liu
Yong-ping
YP
Pu
Qing-tian
QT
Gu
Qing-huan
QH
Han
Jian-jun
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001365:Axilla; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D018226:Fibroadenoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
D019098:Telomerase