Prognostic implication of p53 protein expression in relation to nuclear pleomorphism and the MIB-1 counts in breast cancer.
BACKGROUND
A close correlation of the p53 protein expression to nuclear pleomorphism and proliferative activity in breast cancer has been reported. The prognostic implications of p53 protein expression, however, in relation to nuclear pleomorphism and proliferative activity in breast cancer remain controversial.


METHODS
Nuclear pleomorphism and immunohistochemical reactivity for p53 protein and MIB-1 were evaluated on formalin-fixed paraffin-stored sections from 250 patients with breast cancer for whom the median follow-up duration was 6.4 years.


RESULTS
p53 protein expression was positive in 66 (26.4%) of 250 cases. Nuclear pleomorphism was grade I or II in 169 (67.6%) cases and grade III in 81(32.4%)cases. The MIB-1 counts were more than 10% in 102 (40.8%) cases and less than 10% in 148 (59.2%) cases. There was a close correlation between p53 protein expression and nuclear pleomorphism (p<0.0001) and between p53 protein expression and MIB-1 counts (p<0.0001). Univariate analyses showed the 66 cases with positive p53 protein expression to have a significantly (p=0.0284) worse disease free survival (DFS) than the 184 cases with negative p53 protein expression. A multivariate analysis, however, on the variables including all of p53 protein expression, nuclear pleomorphism and MIB-1 counts indicated the MIB-1 counts (p=0.0041) as well as the lymph node status to be independently significant factors for DFS, while neither p53 protein expression nor nuclear pleomorphism were independently significant factors for DFS.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study demonstrated that the p53 protein expression, nuclear pleomorphism and MIB-1 counts all demonstrated prognostic significance for breast cancer, while the most significant prognostic indicator among these three biological parameters was the MIB-1 counts.
Tsutsui
Shinichi
S
Department of Breast Surgery, Beppu National Hospital, 1473 Oaza-Uchikamado, Beppu 874-0011, Japan.
Yasuda
Kazuhiro
K
Higashi
Hidefumi
H
Tahara
Kouichirou
K
Sugita
Satoshi
S
Eguchi
Hidetoshi
H
Kayashima
Hiroto
H
Miyazaki
Nobuhiko
N
Muto
Yoichi
Y
Era
Shoichi
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D002467:Cell Nucleus; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53